Final answer:
Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus, often causing pain, inflammation, scarring, and a risk of infertility due to potential blockages in reproductive structures or interference with egg implantation. Treatments can include medication and surgery, but there is a risk of recurrence unless a hysterectomy is performed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition in which the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, proliferates outside of the uterine cavity is called endometriosis. This disorder can cause endometrial cells to implant and grow in areas such as the uterine tubes, ovaries, and the pelvic cavity.
One theory as to why endometriosis increases a woman's risk of infertility is that the endometrial tissue could cause blockages or disruptions in the normal reproductive structures, such as fallopian tubes, which are essential for the transport of eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Additionally, the inflammation and scarring resulted from the ectopic endometrial tissue could hinder implantation of a fertilized egg or damage the sperm or egg.
Furthermore, during the menstrual cycle, this endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus may bleed and cause inflammation and pain, similar to the lining within the uterus. This bleeding and the resultant inflammation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and adhesions, further complicating fertility. Endometriosis is a complex disease that may involve genetic mutations, and while retrograde menstruation is proposed as an immediate cause for the displacement of endometrial tissue, the exact mechanisms of the disease are still being researched.
Treatments for endometriosis typically include medication for pain and surgery to remove the abnormal tissue, but if the surgery is less extensive than a hysterectomy, there is a possibility of recurrence of the condition.