Endometriosis is one of the main causes of infertility in the world. It is estimated that un 40% de mujeres con esta afección tienen problemas para lograr el embarazo. De hecho, se suele infradiagnosticar, y muchas mujeres pueden estar sufriéndola sin saberlo.
Endometriosis can have a huge impact on daily life due to chronic pain, infertility, interference with personal or work relationships… So much so that March has long been designated as the month of awareness of this disease. The idea is that it serves to raise awareness and promote faster and more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
But what is it? Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial-like tissue, which normally lines the uterus, develops outside the uterine cavity. In endometriosis, this tissue is commonly found on the ovaries or fallopian tubes, but in some cases it can be found in areas such as the intestine, liver, lungs or diaphragm. It causes pain and adhesions (scar tissue) in the organs it touches.
We tell you some things about her:
1- It is more common than you think
According to the WHO, it affects approximately 1 in 10 women already más de 176 millones en el mundo; en España se calcula que son más de dos millones. Entre el 40 y el 50 % de las personas con endometriosis experimentan problemas de fertilidad como resultado, y se puede encontrar hasta en el 70 % de las pacientes con infertilidad inexplicable sin síntomas de dolor pélvico.
2- It’s not just about having “a bad period”
Pain and infertility are two of the most common symptoms of endometriosis, but there are many other manifestations of the disease. They include:
- Persistent severe pain.
- Heavy menstruation.
- Fatigue.
- Swelling.
- Gastrointestinal problems.
- Sexual dysfunction.
Beyond these, however, endometriosis can manifest in a wide variety of symptoms. What is typical for one woman suffering from endometriosis may not be typical for another. It is important to recognize that people with endometriosis also experience psychosocial and physical symptoms such as:
- A higher likelihood of depression.
- Reduced social activity.
- Loss of productivity.
- Negative effects on intimate relationships.
- Associated health costs.
3- Correct diagnosis is often delayed
Unfortunately, it is common to encounter women diagnosed with endometriosis who have been told by their family or even in consultation that they were “just having a painful period.” This normalization of symptoms contributes to a delay in diagnosis. Irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, adenomyosis and fibroids are just some of the most common conditions with which endometriosis is confused.
The process of obtaining a diagnosis can be long and exhausting. In these cases, it is advisable to ask questions, do research and find a specialized gynecologist, the best help to obtain answers and the ideal support to face it.
4- Endometriosis treatments are specific and individual
There is no single cure for endometriosis. Managing pain and improving quality of life is often the primary goal. In some cases, this might mean heating pads and warm baths. In others, surgery or pelvic floor physical therapy.
If the patient is seeking pregnancy, symptom control is usually the most recommended course of action, and minor surgery may be recommended to remove endometrial tissue from her reproductive organs. As we say, always under the guidance of her trusted specialist.
5- You can get pregnant if you have endometriosis
Although a high percentage of women with endometriosis suffer from infertility, the chances of achieving pregnancy improve after laparoscopic surgery. It is common to require some assisted reproduction treatment, such as IVF/ICSI, but, as we said, this will depend on each case.
Being diagnosed with endometriosis is not a sentence of infertility, and while it can cause complications and make it more difficult to get pregnant, there are ways to manage the symptoms of endometriosis and improve your quality of life. If you are concerned that you may have endometriosis and it may be preventing you from achieving your dream of having a baby, it is best to consult with a specialist.