Endometriosis and Pregnancy

Pregnant women these days have a host of things to worry about when it comes to prenatal health and caring for themselves and their developing baby. Not that disease amongst pregnant women is more common these days but advancements in technology have made the medical community more aware of diseases and conditions that may not have been apparent years ago.

One such disease that is getting more attention these days is Endometriosis which is a condition that the Endometriosis Research Center claims affects in upwards of 7 million women in the United States alone.

Endometriosis involves the endometrial lining of the uterus. The condition occurs when the lining becomes attached to organs that exist outside of the uterus.

Not only can this cause irritation in the lining during the menstruation cycle but it can also cause a number of other problems. Infertility, and chronic pelvic pain are tow of the most common issues that may occur with Endometriosis and some researchers say that the disease is the number one cause of these conditions.

Although there is no definite cause surrounding Endometriosis some medical experts have pointed to a number of possible causes one of which involves a backup of menstrual tissue in the fallopian tubes. The tissue then enters and implants itself in the abdominal cavity.

Other experts point to a possible genetic cause, an abnormality that develops during the fetal development process. Extensive research regarding the possible genetic theory is being conducted in hopes of determining a conclusive cause.

If you or someone you know is pregnant and are concerned about the existence of Endometriosis there are a number of known symptoms that you should be aware of. Some of the symptoms are common in a variety of conditions so it is important to be vigilant in order to determine if more than one symptom exists.

Symptoms to look out for include painful urination, painful sexual intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, gastrointestinal problems, lower back pain, painful bowel movements, and fatigue. It is important to discuss with a physician if one or more of these symptoms should develop before, during, or after pregnancy. In some cases the condition may occur but may not be realized after a woman becomes pregnant as pregnancy sometimes reduces the symptoms.

There are a number of factors considered when determining an Endometriosis diagnosis, some less effective than others. In many cases a close look at symptom history is the best determining factor of the presence of the disease. Procedures such as MRIs, CAT scans, and Ultrasounds lack conclusiveness. In some cases a laparoscopy may be used to diagnose Endometriosis.

If your doctor does determine that you do in fact have Endometriosis there are a number of treatment options although there is no known cure. Pain medication may be prescribed to reduce discomfort, surgery may be implemented to remove growths diminish pain, and in some cases natural therapies may be used. The main thing is determining whether or not the condition exists and then you and your doctor will be able to decide on the best treatment for you and your baby.