Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue (the endometrium is the lining of the uterus) grows outside of the uterus in the belly cavity. Usually it grows on other reproductive structures but is occasionally found in other areas such as the diaphragm or intestines. Endometriosis may cause painful periods, but many women never know they have it.

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When endometrium is on structures other than the uterus, it still cycles like the uterine lining and bleeds a little every month, introducing blood in places where it doesn't belong. This can cause scarring, cause tissues to stick together that shouldn't do so, and cause inflammation as the body tries to heal the bleeding spot. The symptoms of endometriosis usually go away during pregnancy because the tissues do not cycle during pregnancy, but it tends to come back afterward.

Endometriosis does not always cause infertility; some women have only mild endometriosis and can't get pregnant at all, while others with more severe endometriosis are able to get pregnant. Doctors also don't completely understand how endometriosis affects fertility.

The causes of endometriosis are unknown, although there appears to be a genetic link. Also, women who have a uterine abnormality may be at higher risk.