If you know anybody with endometriosis you may know that it could cause agonizing cramping during their menstrual cycle. In fact, some women are totally paralysed by this agony. But what’s endometriosis and why do we care?
Endometriosis is when the endometrial lining from the uterus is found growing elsewhere in the body. Often it’s found growing on the ovaries or some place else in the abdomen and the pain that girls feel is because these cells are doing their job every month by losing together with the endometrial lining in the uterus. Amazing how those funny cells know their job even if they are in the wrong place!
The other reason we care about endometriosis is that it’s a common finding with women who are sterile. It’s thought that 5-10% of girls could have endometriosis, but it is’s thought that 20% of ladies that are not able to conceive have endometriosis.
So how do you know if you have endometriosis – or endo? Some ladies might suspect they have endo due to intense cramping during their menstrual cycle. But there are other symptoms, too. Some women do not have any cramping during their cycle in any way. Some ladies have lower back discomfort. Some girls might have discomfort during intercourse. Some girls may have discomfort during bowel movements or urinating. Are you seeing a trend? Naturally, the flip side of the coin is that you may not have any symptoms.
I talk from experience here. I had not one of the classic symptoms of endo except that I was not ready to become pregnant. How is endo diagnosed? A laparoscopy is the only possible way to really diagnose endo because it doesn’t show up on any test. A lap is done under general anesthesia with a scope put in thru a small incision under your navel. Another incision is formed at your bikini line which permits the doctor to use a tool to move things around if need be. Once the scope is on the doctor can take a look around and if the endo or other scaring is present they can remove it.
Endo is ’scored’ in stages from 1-4 based totally on the location and a complex point system. Just so you know, when you wake up in recovery and your doctor gives you this number it will not translate into how much agony you’ve been in. It will just give you an idea of how broad the endometriosis was in your system. That is’s all.
What you’ll really need to chat to with your GP is the way in which the removal of the endo will have an effect on your fertility. Many women find the next 3 to four cycles after they have recovered are their most cosy and their doctor may need to take advantage of the removal of the endo and push ahead. Continuing with interuterine insemination ( IUI ) is a great idea or even moving on to in vitro fertilization ( IVF ) – just dependent on what you’re most happy with – because even though the endo has been removed there’s no way to really know how endo has effects on fertility. Doctors all have good guesses but there’s no answer yet. One answer is there though – now the endo is removed you may feel better and now you know one of the likely reasons you weren’t ready to get pregnant on your own.
So, let your health practitioner give you good counsel. Discover what you can about endometriosis because it is feasible to Conquer sterility.
Alana Reyer is an infertility expert. For more great information on what is infertility, visit http://www.infertilityhelp-alana.com/infertility-statistics/.