Being diagnosed with endometriosis is certainly not the end of the world. However, doctors believe it to be one of the primary causes of infertility.
Do not despair if you suddenly find out that you have endometriosis though. Consult your doctor and obtain the necessary treatment but first you need to understand your body and how this condition will affect you.
What is Endometriosis?
It is a intensely painful condition where the tissue inside the endometrium (uterus) grows outside the uterus invading other parts of the body.
Doctors find it inside the ovaries, fallopian tubes and within the lining of the pelvis. In rare cases, the tissue may spread beyond the pelvic region and enter the stomach as well.
However, this tissue behaves exactly like the endometrial tissue no matter where it is located. It thickens over time and breaks down once in every 28 days causing the tissue to shed by bleeding.
Unfortunately, the tissue outside the uterus does not have a passage to go outside the body and the menstrual blood accumulates internally. The trapped blood may result in formation of cysts or scar tissues known as adhesions as well as fibrous bands that stretch between organs causing them to stick together.
Causes of Endometriosis
The actual causes for endometriosis are not always clear. However, medical professionals believe that the condition can be the outcome of any of the following:-
- Faulty Immune System – The immune system is unable to recognize the endometrial tissue growing in areas other than the uterus.
- Implantation of Surgical Scars– Major abdominal surgeries such as hysterectomy or C-Section may cause the endometrial tissue to grow along the incision
- Transportation of Endometrial cell – The blood vessels or the lymphatic system may transport the endometrial tissue to other parts of the body
- Transformation of Embryonic cells– Hormone therapy may result in transformation of embryonic cells causing them to develop into endometrial cells during puberty
- Retrograde menstruation – Some of the tissue flows with the menstrual blood and moves into fallopian tube or other part of the pelvis instead of being eliminated through the body. This causes the cells to adhere to the surface of organs resulting in endometriosis.
- Change in peritoneal cells – A research theory proposes that hormonal changes or a faulty immune system may transform normal bodily cells into endometrial cells in different parts of the body
Symptoms of Endometriosis:
The most obvious symptom of endometriosis is intense pelvic pain occurring during menstruation. The intensity may increase with time worsening as you get older. Some of the other symptoms associated with this condition include:-
- Dysmenorrheal or painful menstrual periods– You may also experience abdominal pain as well as some pain in the lower back along with cramping
- Painful sexual intercourse– Pain both during and after sex is a common symptom of endometriosis
- Difficulty during bowel movement & urination – This usually occurs during menstruation
- Excess blood flow– You may find heavy bleeding during menstruation and even experience bleeding between two menstrual periods.
- Infertility– This is one of the most serious symptoms that may cause you anxiety and distress. Usually endometriosis is diagnosed for the first time when the patient is tested for infertility.
You may also experience bloating, nausea as well as alternative bouts of constipation & diarrhea
How to Get Pregnant With Endometriosis?
Yes! You can still get pregnant while suffering from endometriosis but the condition will not cure itself automatically on carrying a baby. However, it might be difficult to conceive and you need to see an experience fertility doctor to find success.
Some of the options that you may have to consider when you hope to get pregnant is to follow the doctor’s advice and improve your lifestyle. The fertility expert will then consider the following and choose the best procedure suitable for you.
- Removal of endometrial tissue from your body in order to clear the passage of sperm and facilitate fertilization
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is carried out by placing your partner’s sperm directly into the uterus.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) can increase the success rate as the fertilization takes place in laboratory under carefully controlled conditions
Feel free to visit Kiran Infertility Center at No.8,80,Feet Road, ST Bed Area, 4th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru-560034 or book an appointment for learning more about the possibility of becoming pregnant in spite of being diagnosed with endometriosis. You may call or WhatsApp on 7204051333, 9900967627 as well. email info@kiraninfertilityclinic.com for knowing more.
Follow and like our Facebook Page for more such interesting information and updates. Visit here: https://www.facebook.com/KICBengaluru/
Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kic_bengaluru/