ABOUT ENDOMETRIOSIS

What is Endometriosis

Endometriosis (pronounced en – doh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is a complex condition involving hormonal and immune systems. It is a common chronic (long-term) inflammatory condition.

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Endometriosis can affect women / wāhine of all backgrounds and ages, including teenage girls.

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Symptoms of Endometriosis

Women experience a wide range of symptoms and present with various configurations of these which make endometriosis difficult to recognise and diagnose.

The most widely experienced symptoms are pain, fertility issues, immune systems issues, heavy bleeding and mental health issues, particularly mood changes.

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Causes of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is known to affect endocrine (hormonal) and immune systems but the cause of the disease is not conclusively understood.

It has been referred to as the ‘disease of theories’ due to numerous proposed theories attempting to explain the process.

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Diagnosing Endometriosis

It may take some time to get a diagnosis as the symptoms of endometriosis can be wide-ranging and are very similar to other common conditions.

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