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Tag: endometriosis

10Mar

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. As the condition progresses, these growths can damage the surrounding reproductive organs, impacting fertility.

A type of tissue called endometrium lines the inside of the uterus. Throughout each month, the lining gets thicker, and it is at its thickest right before ovulation.
In a person with endometriosis, the abnormal tissue that grows outside the uterus behaves similarly. It thickens before ovulation, and during menstruation, it swells and bleeds into areas it should not be.

This swollen tissue may block the fallopian tubes or grow into the ovaries, which can make it more difficult for a person to get pregnant.
Read more about the link between endometriosis and infertility, how a person can manage the condition, and fertility treatment options for those trying to conceive.

DOES ENDOMETRIOSIS CAUSE INFERTILITY?

Although endometriosis does not necessarily cause infertility, it can reduce fertility in many people. This does not mean individuals with endometriosis cannot get pregnant — instead, it means they may have a more challenging time getting pregnant.

Experts estimate that about half of women with infertility also have endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a progressive condition, which means it can gradually worsen over time. As more and more patches of endometriosis tissue grow in the pelvic and abdominal areas, they can block the reproductive organs. This makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg.

Additionally, these growths can damage the reproductive organs, preventing them from working properly.
Endometriosis can also affect fertility by:

  • preventing an embryo from implanting
  • scarring the fallopian tubes
  • affecting egg growth
  • creating a hormonal imbalance
  • causing chronic inflammation in the pelvis

ENDOMETRIOSIS TYPES AND FERTILITY

There are three main types of endometriosis: superficial peritoneal, endometriomas, and deeply infiltrating. These classifications describe where the endometriosis patches have grown in a person’s body.

A person can have one or multiple types.
Additionally, medical professionals divide endometriosis into stages. They range from I–IV, with stage I being the least severe and stage IV the most severe.

SUMMARY

Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus. It can impact a person’s fertility, making it harder to get pregnant.

People in the early stages of the disease may be able to conceive without medical assistance, but they are likely to need medication, IUI, or IVF in the later stages.
Living with endometriosis can be difficult, and support groups and resources can help those who are struggling.

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com

4Nov

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK. It happens when the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis often reduces the woman’s ability to get pregnant. In this article we talk about endometriosis, symptoms, treatments and how you can increase your chances of getting pregnant.

WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?

Endometriosis happens when the uterus lining grows outside the uterus and affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes and sometimes can spread to other organs. It is an inflammatory disease dependent on oestrogen and the tissue will continue to respond to hormones just like it would in the uterus: it thickens, sheds and bleeds every menstrual cycle.
Women with endometriosis may feel no symptoms or may have chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, pain with urination and bowel movements, and often experience infertility. Because the inflammatory disease depends on oestrogen produced by the ovaries, it usually affects women aged 25 to 35.

 

WHAT CAUSES ENDOMETRIOSIS?

The cause for endometriosis is not known but several theories have been reported. These include:

  • Retrograde menstruation: when the endometrial tissue is transported backwards, through the fallopian tubes into the abdominal cavity.
  • Coelomic metaplasia: when other undifferentiated cells in the peritoneum become endometrial cells.
  • Altered immunity: preventing women from clearing the endometrial cells that appear in retrograde menstruation.
  • Stem cells: other cells in the body differentiate into endometrial cells.
  • Genetics: women who have a first degree relative affected by endometriosis have a 7 times higher risk of developing it.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Sometimes endometriosis presents no symptoms. But frequently, women have:

  • Painful periods
  • Painful intercourse
  • Pain with bowel movements or urination
  • Heavy periods of bleeding in between periods
  • Infertility
  • Women may also feel fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating or nausea.

The diagnosis is mostly done through surgery when the doctor introduces a camera into the abdomen and collects samples of tissue for analysis.

HOW IS ENDOMETRIOSIS TREATED?

There is no cure for endometriosis, but symptoms can be relieved through medication or surgery. Surgery focuses on removing lesions, which reduces pain and can also improve fertility. Endometriosis often recurs and ongoing medication and multiple surgeries may be required to relieve the symptoms over time.

HOW DOES ENDOMETRIOSIS AFFECT FERTILITY?

Around 30 to 50% of women with endometriosis have infertility. The reasons why only some women with endometriosis experience infertility aren’t clear, but research has been presenting several reasons:

  • The inflammation and pelvic adhesions cause a mechanical problem, making it harder for the egg to be released, for the sperm to find its way to the egg, impair fertilization and the transport of the embryo into the uterus.
  • Another reason may be related to a deficiency of a protein in the uterus. It has been found that women with endometriosis have lower levels of a molecule called HDAC3 in the uterus. This molecule is important for implantation and preparation of the uterus for pregnancy.
  • Other possible causes are being explored like inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and genes.

Women with minimal to mild endometriosis have an almost normal chance of conception. As endometriosis worsens, scar tissue (adhesions) become more common and the chance of natural conception can decrease. A study revealed these chances of pregnancy over 3 years are lower for women with severe endometriosis (36%) than to those with unexplained infertility (55%). Some studies have suggested that women with more advanced endometriosis also have poor ovarian reserve, low egg and embryo quality, and poor implantation.

ENDOMETRIOSIS AND GETTING PREGNANT

Most women with mild to moderate endometriosis will be able to conceive without any medical or surgical intervention. In cases of moderate to severe endometriosis, medical or surgical interventions may be the best way forward. As endometriosis is oestrogen dependent, some hormonal medications may be helpful to manage pain. These, however, have not been found to improve fertility, unless you are undergoing IVF. In this case, prolonged treatment with GnRHa before IVF can improve fertility rates. Surgery to remove cysts, adhesions and nodules has also been found to be effective and increase chances of conception.

If you have endometriosis and want to get pregnant, get in touch with us.