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| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
| '''Endometriosis''' is a common medical condition characterized by growth of the [[endometrium]], the tissue that lines the [[uterus]], beyond or outside the uterus.
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| Affecting an estimated 89 million women (usually around 30 to 40 years of age who have never been pregnant before) of reproductive age around the world, one in every 5 females get endometriosis.[http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/endometriosis/a/endotreatdiagsu.htm] . However, endometriosis can occur very rarely in postmenopausal women. <ref name="AMN" /> An estimated 2%-4% of endometriosis cases are diagnosed in the postmenopausal period.
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| In endometriosis, the [[endometrium]] (from ''endo'', "inside", and ''metra'', "[[womb]]") is found to be growing outside the uterus, on or in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month during the menstrual cycle; however, in endometriosis, the misplaced endometrium is usually unable to exit the body. The endometriotic tissues still detach and bleed, but the result is far different: internal bleeding, degenerated blood and tissue shedding, inflammation of the surrounding areas, pain, and formation of [[scar]] tissue may result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the [[bowel]], [[Urinary bladder|bladder]], [[small intestines]] and other organs within the [[pelvic cavity]] can occur. In very rare cases, endometriosis has also been found in the [[skin]], the [[lungs]], the [[eye]], the [[Thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]], and the [[brain]].
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{Reflist|2}} | | {{Reflist|2}} |