What is endometriosis?

Question

Is it risky if you get it right after you become pregnant?

Answer 1

Endometriosis is a chronic reproductive/immunological disease characterized by the presence of tissue similar to the endometrium (the lining inside the uterus which builds up and sheds each month during menstruation) outside the uterus, implanted in other areas of the body [What is Endometriosis; international Endometriosis Research Center; www.endocenter.org].

Once believed to be the same as the actual endometrium, we know now that Endometriosis is actually biologically different from true endometrium [The role of endometrium in endometriosis; J Soc Gynecol Investig. 2006 Oct;13(7):467-76]. In any event, these implants continue to break down and bleed; the result is internal bleeding, degeneration of tissue shed from the growths, chronic inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of painful adhesions and scar tissue. Endometriosis has been documented in nearly every location of the body, including such remote and unusual sites as the brain, sciatic nerve, lungs and even skin.

Endometriosis can cause debilitating pain and infertility, and despite being one of the most common reasons for chronic pelvic pain, the disease remains widely misunderstood [case in point; a vast majority of the answers on this website, for example, are completely wrong]. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and alterations in immune and endocrine functions are believed to play significant roles in the establishment and maintenance of Endometriosis, and there is no absolute cure.

Common myths and falsehoods about Endo include the notions that Endo can be cured through hysterectomy, pregnancy or menopause, drugs or surgery and that Endo only affects older women and teens don't get Endo. None are true.

While there is no cure, treatments include surgical intervention (required for an accurate diagnosis); alternative therapies such as herbs, supplements, naturopathy, etc.; and hormonal suppression. None are curative, but meticulous surgical removal of the disease (such as through the method of excision - see http://www.centerforendo.com for details) can confer the longest benefits with minimal side effects. It is imperative to have a true Endo specialist caring for you; one who is up to date on the latest understandings and most effective treatments for the disease.

Most women suffer from Endometriosis at an early age, though the average delay in diagnosis is 9 years and 5 physicians. It is unusual, though not impossible, for a woman to not experience symptoms until after pregnancy. There are no increased risks in terms of symptoms cropping up before or after pregnancy, but often, women with Endo who become pregnant actually experience short-term relief from Endo during the pregnancy itself. While not curative as mistakenly believed by some, pregnancy may temporarily "quiet" the disease for a short period.

It is important to obtain early diagnosis and intervention when dealing with Endometriosis. It can be crippling for many; taking over every aspect of a woman's life if it becomes bad enough. See the following links for accurate and timely additional resources and info:

http://www.endometriosistreatment.org
http://www.centerforendo.com
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/erc
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EndoDocs
http://www.pelvicpain.org/html/physician.html
http://www.endocenter.org/pdf/2006ScreeningEducationKit.pdf

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Endometriosis is the growth of tissue outside of the uterus and on the ovaries. When I was younger I had been told it was as if the lining inside your uterus just spread and started to grow all over. One's risk for developing it varies if you have relatives with the condition, as does its severity.

A lapriscopic biopsy is currently the most common and reliable way to diagnose the condition. It is possible that the condition existed before any diagnosis, many women are asymptomatic until complications arise or if the condition progresses.

Many women who have endometrosis actually have trouble getting pregnant in the first place. However there is no current evidence that indicates the condition may cause loss of a pregnancy. But I'd check with your OBGYN and make sure nothing else may cause a problem.

Relatives of mine who have the condition have had trouble getting pregnant, and have needed to take fertility drugs. In one case this didn't help at all and a hysterectomy was needed. Another relative managed to have twins and another child before her uterus needed to be removed. My sister, who is in her 20's has been diagnosed with endometriosis for years now. It causes her considerable pain and I doubt she will ever be able to have children, and more than likely she will also need a hysterectomy.

The severity of the condition in my family however is not common , and many women actually find that after they give birth the problem may spontaneously resolve itself.

My best suggestion is to see your OBGYN and have an extensive exam done.

Answer 4

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue (endometrium) normally lining the womb (or uterus) grows on different organs outside the uterus. If the endometrium grows within the muscular layer of the womb it is called adenomyosis, which is just a different type of endometriosis. Does endometriosis affect a woman's chances of becoming pregnant?

In severe cases, formation of connecting tissues around endometriosis near the Fallopian tubes or ovaries may reduce fertility. Fortunately, most women with endometriosis have a mild form of disease and their fertility is not impaired. Once pregnant, most women's endometriosis gets better under the influence of the constant high levels of female hormones produced in pregnancy.

Answer 5

ENDOMETRIOSIS is a disease where somehow the inner lining of the uterus - The endometrium happens to locate itself outside the uterus. The mechanism suggested is of a retrogade ( backward)menstruation. The commonest location being the ovaries and the ligaments that support the uterus ( uterosaccaral ligament ). As in normal menstruation this endometrium grows and bleed every month and the blood that comes out irritates the tissues around it and organizes to form adhesion fixing the uterus at its place ( frozen uterus ) . Hence, with time the periods become heavy and painful and it can also hurt when you have intercourse.
Most severe complications associated with the endometriosis include infertility and ectopic pregnancy ( fetus developing in the fallopian tubes ).
Effect of pregnancy on the disease - With pregnancy your periods stop and so does the bleeding from this abnormally located endometrial tissue and they regress with time .So in other words pregnancy help decrease the disease intensity.

Answer 6

Endometriosis is a disease in which pieces of the inside lining of your uterus, referred to as the endometrium, are found in unusual locations. Common locations are outside the uterus, but within the abdominal cavity, but also around the bladder, intestines, ovaries, and in rarer instances, in areas outside the abdomen altogether (lungs, respiratory tract, skin, etc.). Major issues with endometriosis revolve around infertility, as these pieces of endometrium outside of the uterus, still respond to the same circulating hormones that cause menstruation. And like the inside lining of your uterus breaking down every 28 days or so to produce your menstrual period, endometriosis will do the same. The bleeding will occur internally, or wherever the endometriosis happens to be located. This bleeding on the inside of the abdomen causes significant scarring and development of adhesions (i.e., "scar tissue"). The adhesions formed can then affect fertility because of obstruction of the Fallopian tubes or various other parts of the female reproductive system.

If you have further questions about endometriosis, I would consult your obstetrician/gynecologist.

Answer 7

It's some kind of scar tissue that forms on the ovaries etc. I don't think it's risky after a pregnancy so much as an impediment to getting pregnant in the first place.

But I would ask a doctor before Y!A.

Answer 8

Growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. The tissue may attach itself to the reproductive organs or to other organs in the abdominal cavity. Each month the endometrial tissue inbreeds with the onset of menses. The resultant irritation causes adhesions in the abdominal cavity and in the fallopian tubes. Endometriosis may also interfere with ovulation and with the implantation of the embryo.

Answer 9

Endometriosis is a condition where tissues that are normally inside the uterus (endometrium/uterine mucosa) are somehow implanted elsewhere, where they shouldn't be. These endometrial tissue grow, especially during your period. These abnormally implanted "islands" of endometrium could be found on the wrong tissue layer of your uterus, or they could be found in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, anywhere around the uterus, on your bladder, intestines, cervix, vagina, and even anywhere in your abdomen, or very rarely the breast, lungs, and spinal canal.

Endometriosis is the most common cause of heavy and/or painful menstrual bleeding, or spotting in-between your periods. It also causes abdominal/pelvic pain, pain during sex, pain during defacation, and most importantly, it causes infertility in 30-40% of women who have it. It causes uterine fibroids, which can sometimes prevent or pose a danger to pregnancy.

Answer 10

Cells from your uterus lining go elsewhere in your body. Most times in your ovaries or tubes. But they have been known to travel elsewhere in your body as well. I've heard of them settling in breasts before. And then, every month when you have your period those cells bleed as well, causing cramps in that area.
Endometriosis can prevent or at least hinder getting pregnant. Usually after childbirth the condition improves.

Here's a drawn picture that won't gross you out
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/1100/1119.asp?index=5751

But you need to address your concerns with your doctor.