Endometriosis?

Question

Has anyone experienced this? I just would like to know.

My sister in law was diagnosed with this and my mother in law has informed me she had/has it and my future daughters are at a high risk of getting it. For her sake and my children’s future I want to know everything I can about this.


I have asked this in the women health section. But I do know this disease affects pregnancy so I decided to ask it in this section as well.

Answer 1

tlbs101 described endometriosis scientifically rather well, so I just want to add a little more information about it and some personal experience as well. First off, endometriosis is often misdiagnosed and overdiagnosed. The one and only true way to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery, most commonly a laparoscopy. So ask your mother-in-law
and sister-in-law how they were diagnosed with it. Because surgery is the only true way to diagnose it, it will be hard for you to know if your daughters have it.

Endometriosis is still a puzzle to researchers, they do not know what causes it and therefore cannot say that it is definitely inherited. Although research suggests that a person is more likely to get it if there is a family history of it. I have no family history of it yet I do have it. I was diagnosed at the age of 20 when I had a laparoscopy done to remove a cyst on my ovary (caused by the endometriosis).

There are some ways you can help your daughters. Make sure they are informed of the symptoms of it especially if there menstrual cycle causes excruciating pain (I thought that was normal until I was diagnosed). Some treatments for it include hormone therapy, one of which is birth control. I am not sure how you feel about this but you can start them on birth control at a young age just in case they do develop it.

As far as infertility, yes endometriosis causes infertility in about 30%-40% of people that have it. Usually this is how women find out they have it. I myself have had no problem conceiving a child. I believe and this is purely opinion that the infertility occurs after long term damage of untreated endometriosis. If you catch it early I do not see any reason why your girls wouldn't be able to conceive. Also infertility caused by endometriosis is usually effectively treated with hormone therapy.

I read a women's statement above that hers got better with each pregnancy. That is the same in my case and it makes sense. If you aren't shedding the lining (endometrial tissue) monthly it cannot attach to other organs. That is why pregnancy and birth control are effective in helping to treat it, they both prevent ovulation/shedding of the tissues.

I would not worry too much as you want to be informed and that alone will help your girls. Just don't be afraid to talk to them about it and the options out there to help treat it. It is a very manageable disease.

Answer 2

Endometriosis affects a woman's ability to conceive but not the pregnancy itself. From my personal experience, I know that pregnancy affects endo. With each of my pregnancies, I have had less symptoms. Between my last child 3 yrs ago and this one, I have had no symptoms. Before, I experienced pain so badly that I would miss work the first day of my period.

I've never heard that it is hereditary. I don't know anyone in my family with it. If it is, I would not think that it would be passed from the father's side of the family.

Answer 3

Endometrial tissue is supposed to be limited to the inside of the uterus. It is the tissue that builds up during the month, then sheds off when you bleed on your period.

Sometimes this tissue doesn't know it's only supposed to be *inside* the uterus and some endometrial cells start growing outside the uterus and nearby, on the fallopian tubes, and other places nearby the uterus.

Well, these outside endometrial cells respond to the monthly cycle just like the ones inside the uterus, get bigger, and when it's time for your period, they "bleed" off as well, only there is no place for the menses to go (it is absorbed into the abdomen -- which may or may not cause problems itself). The rest of the body (immune system, clotting system) thinks you are bleeding internally and the blood clotters come "to the rescue" to make scar tissue.

This happens every month, so after a while there is lots and lots of scar tissue attached to the outside of the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, and the uterus. It may even look like something out of a science fiction movies with spider-web strands attached to the inside of the abdomen, all over the fallopian tubes, etc.

What the scar tissue does is prevents the fallopian tubes from moving to catch an egg, or possibly block the tubes completely (this is what happened to my wife).

Furthermore, it can cause cramping (abdominal muscles being pulled at constantly by scar tissue can't be pleasant) (this is what happened to my step-daughter).

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Answer 4

I had a roommate who had a very bad case of it & her periods were horriable. I felt really bad for her she had very heavy periods w/ bad cramps. The doctors told her that she would not be able to concieve children & that she would need a hysterectomy. My mom also had it but she had 2 kids & 1 miscarriage but by the age of 26 she had to have a hysterectomy too. But I don't have it or I haven't been told I have it yet & I am 22.

check out this website for more info:
http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/endometriosis

Answer 5

As long as your daughters are hyper vigilant about it, and get their regular exams yearly after they start their periods, it shouldn't be a problem.

There are quite a few procedures to help assuage the effects of endometriosis.

Answer 6

my doctor told me birth control helps taim the endometriosis. my sister had it so bad she had to have a hysterectomy when she was 24! just make sure she gets a check up regularly. or just ask your current doctor.

Answer 7

OK, dont panic...yes I have had ENDO..Yes it is curable...well manageble...I also had 30 tumers removed...because of the ENDO...Heres what it is...You have your period but the blood doesnt come out it stays inside you and it builds up and after years it gets like rubber and pretty soon its like all your organs are glued together.you feel run down and tired...and you gain a lot of weight...I mean a lot like 100LBS you go to the GYNO and hell give you pamplets...Dont be afraid to ask questions.Yes it will prevent you from having kids...So get to it ASAP...Dont be like me and wait years...till its to late.

Answer 8

i had sever periods and thought i may have cancer or something, they did a biopsy on me and found i had two different forms of it, my aunt had it and two sisters ... all iknow is it hurts real bad and i wish i could afford the surgery also i had five kids so it did not affect me in that way