What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition, which affects about one-fifth adolescent girls globally, and have substantial adverse impact to their reproductive health and quality of life.
It is characterized by presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity at sites such as the ovaries, vagina, rectum, sigmoid colon, appendix, ureter, bladder, etc. The most common presenting symptoms of endometriosis include chronic pelvic pain and dysmenorrheal. Sub fertility, irregular menstrual bleeding, dyspareunia, gastrointestinal symptoms, urinary symptoms and mood disorders are other associated symptoms.
In Bangladesh, there are 12 lac patients of endometriosis. There is a low level of awareness and education regarding endometriosis among the adolescent school girls which frequently results in delayed diagnosis and progression of the disease with complications.