Endometriosis
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. I think it’s an important topic to discuss in the medical community since about 1 in 10 women in the United States are affected by it, yet, most people don’t even know what it is. Let’s talk about it!
Endometriosis is a common health problem in women between the ages of 25 and 40. The endometrium is the tissue that lines the uterus, and endometriosis occurs when tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The most common locations include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and outer surface of the uterus, but it can also occur in the vagina, cervix, bladder, and bowel.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms of Endo?
Pain is the most common symptom. Severe menstrual cramps often occur, as well as chronic pain in the pelvis and low back. Pain during intercourse is also a common symptom, as are infertility, heavy menstrual periods, and gastrointestinal problems such as constipation/diarrhea, bloating, and nausea.
What Causes Endo?
The cause of endometriosis is still unknown. There are several theories which scientists believe could be true. One of the most likely causes is retrograde menstrual flow, in which it is believed that some of the tissue shed during your period works its way through the fallopian tubes, and then enters different parts of the body this way. Another theory says that endometrial tissue could travel through blood and lymph, similarly to how cancer cells spread, and implant itself onto different organs.
It is also believed that there could be a genetic component to endometriosis, considering it often runs in families, although this has not been proven yet, either. And finally, it could also be caused by various surgeries, such as C-sections or hysterectomies, via accidentally picking up endometrial tissue and placing it in areas that it shouldn’t be in.
How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed?
The only way a person can get a true endometriosis diagnosis is by getting a laparoscopic surgery performed on them. This involves getting sample tissues from the pelvic region and studying them under a microscope.
Prior to deciding on whether or not to perform the surgery, your doctor will talk to you about your medical history, do a pelvic exam to see if there are any large cysts present, and may even do an ultrasound or MRI exam to take a look at what’s happening in your reproductive organs.
Can I Still Get Pregnant If I Have Endo?
Yes! It may take help and guidance from a healthcare professional, and it may take longer than normal, but you most likely will be able to get pregnant if you might have endometriosis.
How endometriosis affects fertility is not clearly understood, either. Researchers believe that scar tissue from endometriosis can impair the release of the egg from an ovary, i.e. cause anovulation. While another theory suggests that endometriosis causes a change in the pelvic environment which impairs proper implantation of a fertilized egg.
Either way, if you’re experiencing difficulties getting pregnant naturally, get help from a naturopathic doctor who focuses on women’s health and fertility.