Endometriosis, first identified in 1860, is on the rise. Yet, its causes remain elusive, and diagnosis is notoriously challenging—taking an average of seven years from the onset of symptoms. According to the Ministry of Health, it affects “10% of women of childbearing age, or 1.5 to 2.5 million women.” This incurable inflammatory condition occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterine cavity, forming lesions around the ovaries, uterus, and bladder. In some cases, it impacts the digestive system as well.
There are three main types. Superficial endometriosis involves “ectopic endometrial implants on the surface of the peritoneum.” Ovarian endometriosis presents as “an ovarian cyst with chocolate-colored fluid.” Deep pelvic endometriosis features “lesions infiltrating more than 5 mm below the peritoneal surface,” often affecting the uterosacral ligaments (50% of cases), posterior vaginal cul-de-sac (15%), intestine (20-25%, especially the rectum and rectosigmoid junction), bladder (10%), ureters (3%), and beyond the pelvis, including the sigmoid, right colon, appendix, and terminal ileum, per endofrance.org.
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