Pelvic Endometriosis Associated with Chronic Pain and Infertility

Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterine cavity. The disease causes chronic inflammatory reactions in the female body which can occur in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and vagina, cervix and uterosacral ligaments. The disease can also take over the kidneys, spleen, gallbladder, nasal mucosa, spinal canal, breasts, stomach, lungs and diaphragm and cause excruciating pain.

Pelvic endometriosis is associated with chronic pain and infertility, but oftentimes it is asymptomatic. The exact causes behind endometriosis are still unknown, but some theories exist which try to explain the condition, but nothing has been definitely confirmed. When trying to conceive and experiencing difficulty, it could be due to endometriosis, but without testing a woman will not know for sure. Endometriosis causes so many different symptoms it can be difficult to pinpoint a definitive diagnosis. The disease is commonly seen in women 25-30 years of age and will get more grueling as a woman ages. Pelvic pain is one of the most commonly witnessed side effects along with bloating, back pain, painful menstruation, uncomfortable sexual intercourse, bleeding after intercourse, bleeding in between menstrual periods and much more.

According to medical statistics 5-10% of all women have endometriosis, but not all of these cases lead to infertility. However, 30-40% of all infertile women experience infertility which will require the intervention of a fertility specialist. For women with any stage of endometriosis, the condition can cause serious pain in the abdominal or pelvic region, or some women can have no symptoms or pain at all, which is part of the reason why it can be so hard to treat and diagnose. When trying to conceive and a woman encounters pelvic pain on any scale, it could be related to endometriosis.

In order to discover whether or not the disease is present, a woman will have to undergo a laparoscopy which will allow a physician to view the pelvic region in order to determine the presence of endometrial tissue. A diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis can be crushing for some couples when trying to have a baby, but with proper medical intervention and treatment it does not have to result in female infertility.