Endometriosis specialist in Hyderabad | Dr. Himabindu Annamraju

One of the major complications of endometriosis in women is infertility. Almost 35 to 50% of women with endometriosis find it difficult to get pregnant.

In endometriosis, endometrial tissues (similar to the one that lines endometrium of uterus), grow outside the uterus and form scars and adhesions. When this happens, the pelvic organs such as ovaries, fallopian tube and the tissues surrounding them adhere or stick together. This condition leads to severe pelvic pain. The abnormal tissue growth finds no way to exit the body and thus leads to symptoms.

When endometrial tissue grows outside the ovaries, it leads to irritation and formation of scars tissues and adhesions. Due to the formation of abnormal fibrous tissues, women who have this condition, may develop symptoms, such as abnormal bleeding, painful menstruation and infertility.

What causes Endometriosis?

There is no known cause of endometriosis, but experts propose some potential reasons – such as the following:

Peritoneal cells that line the inner abdominal cavity may turn into endometrial like cells under the influence of hormonal and immunological factors.

Immunological disorders – immune cells don’t recognize endometrial cells as different. Thus, endometrial cells survive and grow and lead to endometriosis.

Endometrial cells may attach to the surgical incision site after hysterectomy or a C-section and thus grow outside the uterus.

Endometrial cells may move to other areas of the body through circulatory or lymphatic system.

Embryonic cells may transform into endometrial cells during the early stages of development.

Retrograde menstruation – menstrual blood with endometrial cells may flow back through the fallopian tubes into pelvic cavity. The endometrial cells present in menstrual blood may stick to surfaces of pelvic organs and pelvic wall and cause endometriosis.

The following factors put a woman at risk of developing endometriosis:

• Shorter periods (less than 27 days)
• Reproductive tract abnormalities
• Family history of endometriosis
• Low Body Mass Index (BMI)
• High levels of Estrogen
• Shorter periods
• Heavy menstruation
• Early Menarche
• Late Menopause
• Never giving birth

Endometriosis Symptoms

• Severe pelvic pain with menstrual cramps
• Pelvic pain beginning before period
• The pain continues for several days into periods
• Progressively worsening pelvic pain
• Bleeding between periods
• Heavy bleeding (occasional)

The other symptoms associated with endometriosis include lower back pain, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, severe pelvic pain, nausea, fatigue, bowel issues and urinary problems and pain during sexual intercourse.

Why knowing the symptoms is important?

Endometriosis symptoms look similar to the symptoms of other common gynaecological conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts and also to other condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Ovarian cancer during the advanced stages, also shares similar type of symptoms. In some cases, endometriosis is first diagnosed during infertility testing.

How Does Endometriosis Affect Fertility?

Endometriosis may affect fertility of a woman in different ways:

• Blocking the fallopian tubes
• Blocking ovaries from releasing eggs
• Stopping a fertilized egg from attaching the uterus
• Preventing the egg and sperm from uniting and fertilization
• Damaging the egg or sperm
• Causing inflammation and disrupting hormonal balance

Though conceiving is a major issue with endometriosis, many women can still conceive and complete a full-term pregnancy with treatment. However, delay in seeking treatment can worsen the condition over time causing complications.

Ovarian Cancer Risk with Endometriosis

In general, the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer – if a woman has endometriosis, is low. Only a limited number of studies (very few studies) indicate ovarian cancer risk with endometriosis, but the percentage is relatively low. In other words, if a woman has endometriosis, then the possibility of developing endometriosis-associated adenocarcinoma is very less.

Bottom Line

Endometriosis is one of the major causes of infertility in women. With time, the condition becomes progressively damaging leading to severe symptoms. Many women delay in seeking medical help as the symptoms are often confusing and mimic the symptoms of other conditions. Therefore, the best bet is to see an endometriosis specialist in Hyderabad rather than getting perplexed with the symptoms one experiences.

Read more – Endometriosis treatment in Hyderabad

Dr. Himabindu Annamraju