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View Full PDFEndometriosis in Teens:
A Guide for Parents and Guardians
Remember
- Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside of its normal location.
- Symptoms are usually bad period cramps and pelvic pain.
- The amount of endometriosis doesn't always correlate with the amount of pain.
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The following information was created to help you as a parent or guardian learn about endometriosis. As you become familiar with your daughter’s symptoms and the treatment options for endometriosis, you will be able to help support her with her medical treatment.
The most useful thing you can do to understand your daughter's diagnosis is to learn all you can about endometriosis. There is certainly a lot of information online. For helpful tips for evaluating endometriosis websites, books, and magazine articles begin with our guide: Evaluating Health Information. There is in-depth information about endometriosis on youngwomenshealth.org. Your daughter's health care provider is another resource for educational materials. Be sure to maintain an on-going list of questions for your daughter's medical treatment team. The doctors, nurses and social workers will assist you and your daughter in understanding her diagnosis and the treatment options at all stages of her treatment.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside its normal location. Common locations of endometrial implants include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus and tissue covering the bladder and rectum. The location of the endometrial implants and the way in which the lesions affect the pelvic organs contribute to the symptoms of adolescent and adult women. Some teens have a lot of endometriosis and have very little pain, while others who have a small amount of endometriosis have severe pain.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Endometriosis causes different symptoms in young women. Severe period cramps with intermittent pelvic pain throughout the menstrual cycle. The type of pain is often referred to as "chronic" pelvic pain. Some teens may have pain with exercise, and/or after a pelvic exam. For those who are sexually active, there may be pain associated with intercourse. Painful or frequent urination, diarrhea or constipation may accompany the pelvic pain.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
If your daughter has unexplained pelvic pain, or menstrual cramps that are so bad that she misses school she could have endometriosis. There could be other reasons for her symptoms as well but only her health care providers can tell for sure. In fact, the ONLY way to be 100% certain of this diagnosis is to have a procedure called a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy allows the doctor to look inside your daughter's pelvic cavity with a special lens to identify the endometriosis (implants). Other tests that will be ordered by her health care provider before a laparoscopy may include blood tests, cultures to check for infection, ultrasound or an MRI (to make sure it's not something else).
What causes endometriosis?
Although we know that some young women may be slightly more likely to develop endometriosis because female relatives have it, the majority of the time we do not know the cause of this disease.The three most accepted theories are:
- Sampson's Theory: This theory explains that the flow of menstrual blood gets "backed up" causing some of the blood to flow in a reverse direction. This process causes blood containing endometrial tissue to attach to surfaces outside of the uterus.
- Meyer's Theory: This theory proposes that specific cells called "metaplastic cells" change into endometrial cells and are actually present at birth.
- Vascular Theory: This theory suggests that the endometrial tissue “travels” through the body via the blood vessels. It then implants in the abdomen and grows, resulting in pain.
Next: Helping Your Daughter Prepare for an Evaluation |
Updated: 9/11/2009
