Women's Health
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
Endometriosis: Get the Facts
Where Problems Start
Where Problems Start
Once those cells start growing where they shouldn't, it's called endometriosis. But many women don't notice symptoms for years. The abnormal endometrial cells don't exit during your period — in fact, they don't leave your body at all. They stick around, and they multiply every month when your hormones are stimulated again. These cells continue to multiply, and it can take a few years before you experience any symptoms. As the long-term cycle continues, you may eventually experience scarring (called adhesions) and pain. That's when you realize something's wrong.
Attribution: Pictured: Endometriosis of the ovary. Photo courtesy of Nephron.
By Daniel Halperin, published March 29, 2011. Daniel is a freelance writer based in New York City.
