Endo A to Z

Bloating is a frequent and often painful symptom, also known as "endo belly".

Bowel pain during bowel movements is a common symptom of endometriosis, especially during menstruation.

Birth control is often used as a first-line treatment to manage symptoms by regulating hormones.

Biopsy is a medical procedure in which a tissue sample is collected to confirm if they are endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus.

Chronic pelvic pain is about the most common symptom of endometriosis, often persistent and severe.

Cramps during menstruation (dysmenorrhea) in women with endometriosis are often much more severe than typical period pain.

Cysts or endometriomas may form on the ovaries. Such ovarian cysts filled with old blood are known as chocolate cysts.

CA-125 blood test is sometimes used to measure the amount of a protein called Cancer Antigen 125 primarily known as a marker for ovarian cancer. It is a helpful but not definitive tool in the diagnosis and management of endometriosis.

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful periods.

Dyspareunia is the medical term for painful sexual intercourse.

Dyschezia is the medical term for painful bowel movements.

Diagnosis is the process of identifying a disease, in this case endometriosis, typically through a laparoscopy.

Diagnostic delay is a major problem for women with endometriosis.

Diagnostic laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to visually inspect the pelvic and abdominal organs for the presence of endometriosis.

Endometrial tissue is the tissue that normally lines the uterus but which grows outside the uterus, causing endometriosis.

Endometrioma is an ovarian cyst caused by endometriosis, also known as a "chocolate cyst".

Excision surgery is a surgical procedure to carefully cut away and remove endometrial lesions.

Estrogen is the primary hormone that fuels the growth of endometrial tissue.

Fatigue is a debilitating and common symptom. It is extreme tiredness linked to the body's response to chronic inflammation.

Fertility is the ability to conceive. Endometriosis can significantly impact fertility.

Flare-ups are periods of heightened and debilitating symptoms, especially pain. Flare ups can occur with or without a menstrual period

Gastrointestinal symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, or constipation, especially during a period.

GnRH Agonists are a type of hormone therapy used to suppress the production of estrogen.

Gynaecologists are medical doctors who specialize in the health of the female reproductive system. They treat women with endometriosis.

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, sometimes performed in severe cases of endometriosis. It is not always curative.

Hormonal therapy includes treatment that helps regulate hormone levels for symptom management.

Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) can occur as a symptom of endometriosis.

Hysterectomy (sometimes offered, but not always curative)

Hot flashes can occur as a side effect of some hormonal treatments.

Inflammation is a key component of endometriosis pain, caused by the body's reaction to the misplaced endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common misdiagnosis women with endometriosis get due to similar symptoms.

Infertility is the inability to get pregnant, a common complication of endometriosis.

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) used to manage endometriosis symptoms, particularly pain.

Imaging techniques are non-invasive techniques like ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), used to visualize endometrial lesions.

Joint Pain is a possible symptom of endometriosis, often part of the widespread inflammatory response.

Journaling could be used as a coping and symptom-tracking method by some women with endometriosis

Ketogenic diet is a low-carb diet sometimes explored for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Ketorolac is a pain management medication.

Knowledge gaps exist in endometriosis research and awareness.

Kissing ovaries describe ovaries stuck together by adhesions.

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure and the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis.

Lesions are patches or implants of endometrial tissue found outside the uterus.

Low back pain is a possible symptom of endometriosis

Lupron is a GnRH agonist medication that inhibits estrogen production.

Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the uterine lining, which can be extremely painful for women with endometriosis.

Misdiagnosis is a common and frustrating experience for women with endometriosis where the condition is mistaken for something other than endometriosis.

Mindfulness is a mental technique used to help cope with chronic pain.

Menstrual irregularities may occur in women with endometriosis.

Myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids. Women with endometriosis may also have fibroids.

MRI scan is an imaging technique used to view endometrial lesions.

Mind-body therapy like yoga and meditation are helpful for some women

Nerve pain is pain that occurs due to nerve inflammation and sensitization.

NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen, used to manage pain.

Nausea is a possible symptom of endometriosis.

Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to manage pain.

Ovaries are one of the most common places for endometrial lesions to grow.

Orilissa (Elagolix) is a specific type of GnRH antagonist used to manage pain.

Ovarian cysts can form as a result of the accumulation of endometrial-like tissue on the ovaries.

Ovulation pain is a possible symptom of endometriosis.

Oral contraceptives or birth control pills are used to regulate hormones for symptoms management

Oophorectomy (the surgical removal of the ovaries) may be done to eliminate estrogen production.

Pelvic pain (pain in the lower abdomen) is a hallmark symptom of endometriosis.

Peritoneal fluid is fluid in the abdominal cavity that can contain inflammatory markers.

Physical therapy is specialized therapy to address pelvic floor muscle tension and pain.

Progestins/Progesterone therapy works by creating a hormonal environment that is hostile to the survival of endometrial-like tissue.

Pain management includes any method by which pain caused by endometriosis is treated.

Quality of Life is the overall impact on a person's physical and mental well-being, which is often severely diminished by endometriosis.

Quercetin is a natural anti-inflammatory compound being studied as a potential complementary therapy for managing endometriosis symptoms.

Recurrence is the return of endometriosis after treatment, especially after incomplete surgical removal.

Resection is the surgical removal of a part of an organ, often used to describe the removal of endometriosis on the bowel.

Rectovaginal endometriosis where endometrial-like tissue grows on or within the rectovaginal septum—the space between the rectum and the posterior wall of the vagina.

Retrograde menstruation theory (backward flow of menstrual blood into the body during menstruation) is one of the hypotheses about the cause of endometriosis.

Scars or adhesions caused by misplaced endometrial tissue can cause pain and organ distortion.

Sexual intercourse may be painful for women with endometriosis.

Stress is both a cause and an effect of endometriosis pain, leading to a vicious cycle.

Surgical treatment like excision (removal of endometrial lesions) or ablation (burning off of endometrial lesions) may be effective.

Silent endometriosis describes asymptomatic cases of the disease.

Tender points are specific areas of the body that are painful when pressure is applied.

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is an alternative therapy that may include acupuncture and herbal remedies.

Total excision is a surgical goal to remove all visible endometrial implants.

Transvaginal ultrasound is a key diagnostic tool used to help identify and assess endometriosis.

Trigger foods are specific food groups that can exacerbate the symptoms of endometriosis, particularly pain and inflammation.

Thermotherapy is the use of heat like in heat pads or hot water bottles for pain management.

TENS Unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is a battery-operated device that delivers low-voltage electrical currents through electrodes placed on the skin. It is a non-pharmacological and non-invasive pain management tool to help alleviate chronic pelvic pain.

Uterus is the organ where endometrial tissue is normally found.

Urologists are specialists to consult if urinary symptoms like painful urination are present.

Ultrasound is a diagnostic tool.

Urinary tract involvement in endometriosis refers to the presence of endometrial-like tissue on or within organs of the urinary system, most commonly the bladder but also the ureters and, more rarely, the kidneys.

Vaginal pain or a burning sensation can occur, especially during intercourse.

Vicious cycle is the recurring loop of pain, inflammation, and anxiety associated with endometriosis.

Visual diagnosis (via laparoscopy) is used to confirm the presence of endometriosis.

Widespread pain is pain that can radiate beyond the pelvis to the lower back, legs, and abdomen.

Weight fluctuations are possible due to hormones, bloating and/or medication.

Womb is a word for uterus.

Well-being is the psychosocial dimension of health. With a chronic disease like endometriosis which has a significant impact on daily life, addressing well-being is a critical part of a holistic treatment plan.

Xenotransplantation in the context of endometriosis, refers to the transplantation of human endometrial tissue into animals for research purposes.

Xenobiotics are environmental chemicals being studied as risk factors for endometriosis

Yoga is a form of gentle mindfulness exercise often recommended as an alternative therapy for managing pain and stress.

Yawning fatigue or excessive yawning may accompany chronic tiredness.

Zoladex is a brand name for goserelin, a type of GnRH antagonist used to suppress ovarian function.

Zinc is a nutrient being studied for improved immune response and reduced inflammation.