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What is Endometriosis and is there a connection to menstrual cups?

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects 5 1/2 million women and girls in the USA and Canada, and millions more worldwide. It is a condition in which endometrium, the tissue which normally lines the uterus, grows in locations outside the uterus.

This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does: each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds.

Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation -- and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems.

What are the symptoms of Endometriosis?

The symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Painful periods
• Painful intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Ovulation pain
• Pain in the lower back and thighs
• Bowel symptoms
• Bladder symptoms
• Reduced fertility.

Usually, endometriosis causes pain around the time of the period, but some women experience almost constant pain.

What causes Endometriosis?

The exact cause of Endometriosis is unknown, but researchers have proposed a number of theories, including the theory of retrograde menstruation, immune system malfunction, exposure to toxins (such as dioxin), and genetic factors.

Research by the Endometriosis Association revealed a startling link between dioxin (TCCD) exposure and the development of endometriosis. Dioxin is a toxic chemical byproduct of pesticide manufacturing, bleached pulp and paper products, and medical and municipal waste incineration. The EA discovered a colony of rhesus monkeys that had developed endometriosis after exposure to dioxin. 79% of the monkeys exposed to dioxin developed endometriosis, and, in addition, the more dioxin exposure, the more severe the endometriosis.

What is the theory of retrograde menstruation?

The theory of retrograde menstruation is also known as 'backward menstruation'. Some people think that retrograde menstruation is when the flow goes back into the uterus from the vagina by being blocked. This is not the case. In almost all women, some of the menstrual fluid flows backwards into the fallopian tubes from the uterus instead of leaving the body through the vagina. This is what is actually retrograde menstruation. Most women who use menstrual cups find their periods are actually shorter because it allows the flow to come out easier by opening the vaginal canal.

Since the fallopian tubes are open-ended (they are not joined to the ovaries, but open nearby), menstrual fluid can drip into the pelvic cavity. It is suspected that in women who experience endometriosis, the endometrial tissue contained in the menstrual fluid sticks to whatever structures it lands on (such as the ovaries) and starts to grow.

Retrograde menstruation occurs in almost all women, but only 3-10% of menstruating women develop endometriosis. One theory suggests that the immune systems of some women allow endometriosis to develop by failing to control or stop the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.

Can menstrual cups cause retrograde menstruation?

The DivaCup™ is worn low in the vaginal canal collecting the flow far away from the cervix. It is highly unlikely that The DivaCup™ would cause retrograde menstruation. Remember that retrograde menstruation does not even refer to the flow going upwards from the vagina into the cervix, but actually from the uterus into the fallopian tubes. In this case, the actual form of feminine protection used would have no impact on retrograde menstruation. As we mentioned earlier, this happens in the majority of women anyways.

We have had many customers over the years that suffer from severe endometriosis (including some doctors) who have reported amazing success with The DivaCup™ and even some relief. Since endometriosis causes heavy bleeding, our customers report that The DivaCup™ is able to support their very heavy flows with minimal to no leakage.

We hope that after learning more about endometriosis that you will feel comfortable considering menstrual cups as an safe option.

For more information, contact the Endometriosis Association:

Endometriosis Association
8585 N. 76th Place
Milwaukee, WI 53223 USA

phone 414.355.2200

fax 414.355.6065

www.endometriosisassn.org

"I wanted to write in and say thank you! I just "celebrated" my sixth cycle of using the DivaCup and I am so unbelievably happy with this product, I really can't imagine going back to anything else. I have endometriosis and am usually in bed with severe pain for several days during my period. I wish this wasn't true, but since it is every little thing that makes my periods more comfortable and convenient is a godess-send! I love how tidy and clean the DivaCup is...no more nasty twisting, bunching pads to cope with, and I haven't had a single leak since I started using it! (If you are in too much pain to easily change your sheets, let me tell you, that's very important!) It's wonderful...

It did take me a while to get used to; I would say it took until my third cycle to truly be comfortable with the insertion/removal process. (I never used so much as a single tampon in my life, so getting used to wearing something internally was a bit of an adjusment!) But the instructions that came with the cup were very clear and reassuring, and I did make the adjusment...and now I'll never go back. Thank you so much for a wonderful product.

All the best,"

-Kerrie, Powell Butte, OR

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