March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month

Over 6 million women and girls in North America are affected by endometriosis. This disease occurs when the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus (the endometrium) becomes located outside the uterus in growths and lesions, which can cause a variety of potentially debilitating symptoms including pain and extreme fatigue. For more on the disease and symptoms, the Endometriosis Assosication has a page with good information - http://www.endometriosisassn.org/endo.html.

At this point, the cause for endometriosis is still undetermined. However, this is a disease that can substantially affect women's lives and make even simple day-to-day activities painful and impossible. While surgery is an option for those with serious cases, it is not always a complete cure as the disease can sometimes return, as well as seriously impact a woman's decision to have children. More research is needed to understand how to prevent and cure this disease once and for all. So, how can you help? There are some excellent ideas here at www.thefightlikeagirlclub.com - http://www.thefightlikeagirlclub.com/2011/02/march-is-endometriosis-awareness-month/.

If you want to learn more about this disease, here is a list of resources:

• Endometriosis Association - http://www.endometriosisassn.org/index.html
• endometriosis.org - http://endometriosis.org/topic/resources/
• Womenshealth.gov: Endometriosis Fact Sheet - http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/endometriosis.cfm

This year I will be ordering my own Endometriosis Awareness Shirt and am planning to add a yellow ribbon to my email signature. What can you do this month to help spread the awareness of this disease? Please share your ideas!