An informative overview of endometriosis provides a close-up look at the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and management of the painful, often debilitaing condition, describing a variety of alternative, complementary, and conventional therapeutic options and discussing such issues as the frequent infertility that results, emotional and psychological side effects, and other available options. Original. 15,000 first printing. A complete guide to the side–effects and treatments – both conventional and alternative – for endometriosis, from a respected name in the field who also suffers from endometriosis. Acknowledgments xi Foreword by Heather C. Guidone, Director of Operations of the Endometriosis Research Center (ERC) xv PART ONE: Understanding Endometriosis 1 Introduction 3(13) 2 The Female Reproductive System and Endometriosis 16(14) 3 The Role of the Immune System 30(8) 4 Endometriosis Causes and Risk Factors 38(19) 5 Endometriosis Symptoms 57(38) PART TWO: Endometriosis Treatment Options 6 Surgical Management of Endometriosis and Pain 95(31) 7 Medical Management of Endometriosis and Pain 126(48) 8 Treating Endometriosis-Associated Infertility 174(35) PART THREE: Think Holistically 9 Herbs and Supplements for Healing 209(22) 10 Diet, Body, Mind, and Lifestyle 231(34) PART FOUR: Your Endometriosis Repair Plan 11 Endometriosis Symptoms and Evaluation Toolkit 265(13) 12 Getting Diagnosed 278(13) 13 Create a Dynamic Treatment Team 291(19) 14 Become an Empowered Patient 310(37) Afterword by Thomas L. Lyons, MD, MS, FACOG, Medical Director, Center for Women's Care and Reproductive Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 347(4) Appendix A Resources 351(26) Appendix B Glossary 377(16) Appendix C References 393(22) Index 415