What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common condition that affects women. It develops when tissue that is similar to the internal lining of the uterus (otherwise known as the endometrium) grows in areas outside of the uterus.
Often, these tissue growths cause a chronic inflammatory reaction within the body, and can lead to discomfort, pain, and fertility issues. But this isn’t always the case as there are many women who do not experience any symptoms with endometriosis at all. Each experience will be different and vary depending on the severity or development of the condition.
Who can get Endometriosis?
The condition affects 1 in 10 women worldwide, so may even personally know someone with endometriosis. Women are likely to have endometriosis if their sister or mother also had endometriosis themselves. The exact cause of endometriosis is still yet to be known, and many women commonly get diagnosed late due to the belief that period pain is normal.
That’s why if you believe you are experiencing unusually painful symptoms during or near the time of your period, it’s highly recommended to seek advice from your doctor or specialist.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
The most common symptom felt from endometriosis is pain (often during or around the time of menstruation). However, some women experience no symptoms at all.
Some instances or areas where a woman with endometriosis may feel pain include: during menstruation, in the pelvic area, during and after intercourse, while urinating and defecating, during bloating, diarrhoea or constipation.
Endometriosis & Fertility
2 out of 3 women with endometriosis do not encounter fertility issues. For the subfertile population an average of 50% of women suffer from endometriosis
Endometriosis can affect fertility as it can reduce egg quality and the chances of falling pregnant (even with assisted pregnancy methods such as IVF).
The good news is that with the help from a trusted and experienced fertility doctor, it is still very possible for women with endometriosis to experience a successful pregnancy – both naturally and through assisted methods as well.
Women with endometriosis should consider starting a family or seeking assistance earlier, as egg quality is generally at its best when women are aged under 30 (from 30-35 fertility is declining, and at 40+ it is dramatically reduced). The best way and only way to test for subfertility with endometriosis to continue to try and become pregnant.
Egg freezing is another great option if you aren’t quite ready to start a family – with the best chances of success occurring before the age of 35.
Treatment of Endometriosis
Treatment for the condition needs to be individualised, taking into consideration the symptoms, and any specific reproductive wishes.
The gold standard treatment to remove and treat endometriosis is through laparoscopy, which is a keyhole surgery involving an internal examination and treatment of the abdomen through a laparoscope – a tiny thin tube with a camera fixed at its end that’s inserted into the body.
Other treatment options for endometriosis range from complementary medicine, diet and lifestyle changes which may help to reduce the pain as well as improve mood and general wellbeing, to IVF. Surgery improves pain and fertility outcomes.
Where to get help
If you believe that you may have endometriosis or are suffering from similar symptoms of endometriosis, my team and I are here to provide you with the best level of patient care and support.