Missed or Delayed Diagnosis of Endometriosis
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition defined by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in areas outside of the uterus, typically in the ovaries, peritoneum, and the rectovaginal septum. At the beginning of the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, these cells react similarly to those within the womb.
Endometriosis. Image Credit: Ok Sotnikova/Shutterstock.com
In anticipation of fertilization, the cells become thick with the nutrients and fluids necessary to nourish an embryo. If fertilization does not occur, the cells are shed as menstrual bleeding. In endometriosis, these cells cannot be shed via the vaginal canal, causing inflammation, and scarring of the surrounding tissues.