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You have probably heard of endometriosis but what exactly is it? Endometriosis is a
condition in which the cells that normally line the walls of the uterus are found in other areas
of the body. During each menstrual cycle those cells still react as they would in the womb, by
thickening and shedding, except there is nowhere for the blood to go, which causes painful
symptoms.
During each menstrual cycle those cells still react as they would in the womb, by thickening and shedding, except there is nowhere for the blood to go, which causes painful symptoms. The condition causes inflammation, abdominal pain, and often scar tissue, those affected unfortunately can experience symptoms throughout their entire menstrual life cycle. Symptoms can occur in early puberty right up until menopause, there is no known cause of the condition or methods of prevention, however it often runs in families.
The second most common gynaecological issue in the UK
Currently endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological issue in the UK and it affects around 10% of women worldwide. Yet on average it takes around 8 years from the onset of symptoms for women to receive a diagnosis. While there are many studies around the condition there is currently no cure.
Symptoms can be quite debilitating and affect many areas of a women’s life, however with the right treatment and lifestyle support things can improve. Often women with endometriosis experience excessive blood loss, which in turn can cause low iron and fatigue. When this occurs it is important to replenish iron levels with a high quality iron supplement, such as Active Iron.
The hard facts
Unfortunately endometriosis can also cause fertility issues and many women find it difficult to conceive, with infertility affecting 30-50% of women with the condition. This is due to the location of the abnormal tissue, often tissue forms around the fallopian tubes and can block
the ovaries from releasing eggs. If the ovaries are able to release eggs as normal the tissue can block the movement of the egg through the fallopian tube and affect the ability for the egg to stick to the uterine lining. Sometimes an operation or IVF is needed to support
conception, and can help women with more advanced endometriosis. However for women with mild to moderate symptoms around 75% of women are able to conceive without IVF intervention although it can take longer to get pregnant.
Thankfully due to the nature of the condition if a woman does get pregnant symptoms will ease significantly as she of course is not menstruating. However, any scar tissue from previous episodes can cause complications. Your midwife will be able to prepare you with any expected complications and help to reduce risks, if there are any. If you are prone to low iron levels due to your endometriosis you can take a pregnancy safe iron supplement throughout your pregnancy to improve any symptoms expected from low iron levels. This can also help your recovery as all mums experience bleeding during and after the birth of their baby.
But try not to worry as many women with endometriosis have perfectly normal pregnancies and births, each case is different and only your midwife will be able to give a definitive answer on your individual case.
