Endometriosis affects some 5 1/2 million women in the United States and Canada alone. It is a puzzling hormonal and immune disease affecting girls and women, typically in their reproductive years, which causes pain, internal bleeding, infertility and other problems. It can be elusive to diagnose and although treatments are available, no sure cure has been found to date.
Endometriosis: The Complete Reference for Taking Charge of Your Health (Contemporary Books/McGraw-Hill, November 2003) by Mary Lou Ballweg and the Endometriosis Association contains groundbreaking new discoveries on endometriosis and its relationship to immune problems, cancer and other poorly understood diseases. This authoritative guide includes information on endometriosis after menopause; preventing endometriosis; avoiding environmental triggers; teens, their parents, and endometriosis; and not least, road maps through the treatment maze.
Mary Lou Ballweg founder, president, and executive director of the Endometriosis Association, will launch the new book at Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, on Thursday, October 16, 6.00 - 9.00 p.m., during an exceptional event for the public with leading experts in the field, including Deborah A. Metzger, M.D., Ph.D., San Jose, California, internationally renowned for her integrative approach combining conventional surgical and medical treatments with immunotherapy and other alternatives; D. Alan Johns, M.D., a leading laparoscopic surgeon, especially related to complications, and President of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, Dallas; William Rea, M.D., Medical Director, Environmental Health Center, Dallas and environmental medicine pioneer; as well as Mary Lou Ballweg. This will be one of 13 events across the US and Canada that aim to update the knowledge of women and girls with endometriosis and to provide life changing information for those yet to be diagnosed.
The Endometriosis Association was founded 23 years ago and now has groups and members worldwide. It was the first organization in the world created for those with the disease. As an independent self-help organization of women with endometriosis, doctors, and scientists, it is the recognized authority on endometriosis worldwide. The Association works toward finding a cure for the disease as well as providing education, support, and research.