Showing posts with label Genetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Genetics. Show all posts

Friday, January 17, 2014

Causes

So... what is endometriosis?  Endometriosis is a gynecological condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity.  I think more than that will best be answered as I go along, but you can get some basic information from Wikipedia here if you would like. I noticed a couple of things in that Wiki article that my surgeon contradicted but it's a basic overview. 

Along the way, many people I know have asked "how I got" endometriosis.  Essentially, that question is asking for the underlying cause.  Unfortunately, there is no good answer other than being the unlucky one or perhaps a "perfect storm" of circumstances.  Endometriosis is only 6% genetic, so that likely lets my parents off the hook.  It is also possibly has an auto-immune component but I haven't learned enough about that to discuss it.  It is on my list to ask my doctor about at my next visit.