Endometriosis is a female condition in which the cells of the uterus, endometrial cells, begin to grow in different areas of the body. One area that can be affected by the condition is the pouch of douglas, which in turn can often lead to pain, especially during sex. This condition can be severe and can even lead to infertility. In preparation for a pregnancy, the body secretes hormones, which tell the cells of the uterus to grow and become thicker. However, when the woman does not become pregnant, the body sheds this thick lining which results in women receiving their period. When the endometrial cells beings to grow outside of the uterus, endometriosis occurs. These endometrial cells do not leave when a woman gets her period and instead grows bigger every time a woman gets a subsequent period. The most common symptom is pain, which can occur during the menstruation cycle, during sexual intercourse, or during bowel movements.

Treatment options depend on a variety of different factors such as age, severity of the condition, and whether or not the woman wants children in the future. If the symptoms are less severe and the patient does not plan on having children anytime soon, a doctor may recommend the woman going on birth control to prevent the endometriosis from worsening. Birth control prevents the woman from ovulating, therefore lessening the growth of the endometrial cell. In very some cases, surgery may be required to remove the endometrial masses. If a woman has severe endometriosis and does not want to have children, the doctor may suggest a hysterectomy.