Endometriosis is a female health disorder that occurs when cells
from the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other areas of the
body. This can lead to pain, irregular bleeding, and problems
getting pregnant (infertility). Every month, a woman's ovaries
produce hormones that tell the cells lining the uterus (womb) to
swell and get thicker. The body removes these extra cells from
the womb lining (endometrium) when you get your period. If these
cells (called endometrial cells) implant and grow outside the
uterus, endometriosis results. The growths are called
endometrial tissue implants. Women with endometriosis typically
have tissue implants on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and
on the lining of the pelvic area. They can occur in other areas
of the body, too. Unlike the endometrial cells found in the
uterus, the tissue implants outside the uterus stay in place
when you get your period. They sometimes bleed a little bit.
They grow again when you get your next period. This ongoing
process leads to pain and