WEBVTT

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Endometriosis If you
have endometriosis,

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you are not alone.

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Millions of women suffer with
this painful health condition.

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But there are treatments
that can help you feel better

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and improve your
quality of life.

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The endometrium is the tissue

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that lines the inside
of the uterus.

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In endometriosis,

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the endometrium grows outside
the uterus in the abdomen.

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When this happens, it causes
pain and other problems.

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This extra tissue, called
endometrial implant tissue,

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or implants, may grow on your
ovaries and fallopian tubes,

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as well as the lining of
your abdomen or belly.

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Implants may also grow on organs

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in your abdomen,
such as the bladder.

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It can also cause scar
tissue, or adhesions,

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to form around your uterus,
fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

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If the scar tissue blocks
the fallopian tubes,

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it can cause infertility.

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In some cases, the scar
tissue can block the bowel,

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or the ureters, which
are the tubes

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that connect the
kidneys to the bladder.

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The cause of endometriosis
is not known.

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It may run in families.

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Never giving birth
can raise your risk.

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It's most common in women
in their 30s and 40s

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who haven't gone
through menopause.

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Symptoms In many women,

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endometriosis may
not cause symptoms.

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The tissue may only be
found if they have surgery

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for some other reason.

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Other women may have
symptoms such as heavy,

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painful periods,
or pain during sex.

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They may also not be
able to get pregnant.

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If scar tissue affects
the bowel or bladder,

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this can cause symptoms, too.

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Diagnosis If you have symptoms,

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your health care provider
will give you a pelvic exam.

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You may also have a
transvaginal ultrasound.

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This is done with a wand
that is placed in the vagina.

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The wand uses ultrasonic
waves to create a picture

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of your pelvic organs.

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Your health care provider may
recommend a procedure called

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a laparoscopy.

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["lap-ah-RAH-skah-pee"] In
this procedure, a small,

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telescope-like tool is
put into the abdomen

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through a small incision.

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The tool lets the doctor
see inside the abdomen.

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The doctor may also take tiny
pieces of tissue to test.

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This is called a biopsy.

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In some cases, the implant
can be burned or cut

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out at the same time
as the laparoscopy.

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Treatment There are
several different ways

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to treat endometriosis.

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You may be able to control
pain and other symptoms

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by using over-the-counter
medications

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like ibuprophen,
aspirin, or naproxen.

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Your provider may also
choose to control the amount

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of estrogen in your body.

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Estrogen makes the implant
tissue grow and cause symptoms.

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You may be given
hormones to put your body

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in a state like menopause.

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Most women with endometriosis
have relief

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of symptoms after menopause.

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If any implants were
removed during laparoscopy,

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you may have immediate
relief of symptoms.

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But medication will still
be needed for long-term use.

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This is because the implants
will often grow back over time.

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Home treatment such
as a heating pad

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and warm baths may help relieve
some symptoms for a short time.

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In rare cases, the uterus
is removed to stop symptoms.

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This is called a hysterectomy.

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Each type of treatment has
its own risks and benefits.

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Work with your health
care provider

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to find the treatment plan
that works best for you.

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What to Do If you
have endometriosis,

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take your medication
exactly as directed.

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If your endometriosis
causes pain

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with your periods,
exercise may help.

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Talk with your health
care provider

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about taking pain relievers.

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Don't take any herbal medicine

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without asking your
health care provider.

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Some herbal medicine can act
like estrogen in the body

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and make your symptoms worse.

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Call your health care provider

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if your symptoms don't get
better, or if they get worse.

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And tell your health
care provider

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if you have side effects
from your medication.

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You may be given
another medication

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that will cause fewer problems.

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Endometriosis is a common
problem for many women,

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but it can be treated.

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If you have pain or other
symptoms, make sure to talk

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with your health care provider

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about the best kinds
of treatment for you.

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What We Have Learned
Endometriosis sometimes has

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no symptoms.

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True or false?

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The answer is True.

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While many women have
pain during their period

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or during sex, others have
no pain or other symptoms.

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Endometriosis can be
diagnosed and treated

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at the same time
during a laparoscopy.

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True or false?

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The answer is True.

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During laparoscopy, your health
care provider can both see

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and remove excess tissue.

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Birth control pills
should not be taken

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by women with endometriosis.

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True or false?

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The answer is False.

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Birth control pills can
help treat the symptoms

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of endometriosis.