Is the women-related disease endometriosis a cause for infertility ?
490414
Visit the Endometriosis Research Center @ www.endocenter.org. Their literature states:\n\n"About Endometriosis:\n\nWith Endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, with Endometriosis, these implants have no way of leaving the body. The implants still break down and bleed, but result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur. Endometriosis has also been found lodged in the skin - and even the brain.\n\nSymptoms include chronic or intermittent pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation is not normal!), infertility, miscarriage(s), ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, dyspareunia (pain associated with intercourse), nausea / vomiting / abdominal cramping, diarrhea / constipation (particularly with menses), painful bowel movements, painful or burning urination, urinary frequency, retention, or urgency; fatigue, chronic pain, allergies and immune system-related illnesses are also commonly reported complaints of women who have Endo. It is quite possible to have some, all, or none of these symptoms. Endo symptoms are varied and often nonspecific, so they can easily masquerade as several other conditions, including adenomyosis ("Endometriosis Interna"), appendicitis, ovarian cysts, bowel obstructions, colon cancer, diverticulitis, ectopic pregnancy, fibroid tumors, gonorrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cancer, and PID.\n\nDespite today's age of medical advances, researchers remain unsure as what causes of Endometriosis. There is NO CURE, despite the continued propagation of such myths by the uninformed who still mistakenly believe that hysterectomy, pregnancy and/or menopause can "cure" the disease. Invasive surgery remains the gold standard of diagnosis, and current therapies continue to remain extremely limited, often carrying side effects.\n\nMistakenly minimized as "painful periods," Endometriosis is more than just "killer cramps." It is a leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, and accounts for more than half of the 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the US annually. Despite being more prevalent than breast cancer, Endometriosis continues to be treated as an insignificant ailment. Recent studies have even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and other serious illnesses in those with the disease, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself.\n\nResearch has shown that genetics, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxins like Dioxin may all be contributing factors to the development of the disease. Endometriosis knows no racial or socioeconomic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause. The disease can be so painful as to render a woman or teen unable to care for herself or her family, attend work, school, or social functions, or go about her normal routine. It can negatively affect every aspect of a woman's life; from her self-esteem and relationships, to her capacity to bear children, to her ability to be a contributing member of society.\n\nThe disease can currently only be diagnosed through invasive surgery, and the average delay in diagnosis is a staggering 9 years. A patient may seek the counsel of 5 or more physicians before her pain is adequately addressed. \n\nOnce diagnosed, it is not unusual for a patient to undergo several pelvic surgeries and embark on many different hormonal and medical therapies in an attempt to treat her symptoms. None of
640557
Sounds like hallmark Endometriosis...\n\nFrom the Endometriosis Research Center @ www.endocenter.org:\n\n"About Endometriosis:\n\nWith Endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, with Endometriosis, these implants have no way of leaving the body. The implants still break down and bleed, but result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur. Endometriosis has also been found lodged in the skin - and even the brain. \n\nDespite today's age of medical advances, researchers remain unsure as what causes of Endometriosis. There is NO CURE, despite the continued propagation of such myths by the uninformed who still mistakenly believe that hysterectomy, pregnancy and/or menopause can "cure" the disease. Invasive surgery remains the gold standard of diagnosis, and current therapies continue to remain extremely limited, often carrying side effects.\n\nMistakenly minimized as "painful periods," Endometriosis is more than just "killer cramps." It is a leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, and accounts for more than half of the 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the US annually. Despite being more prevalent than breast cancer, Endometriosis continues to be treated as an insignificant ailment. Recent studies have even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and other serious illnesses in those with the disease, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself.\n\nRecent research indicates that genetics, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxins like Dioxin may be contributing factors to the development of the disease. Endometriosis knows no racial or socioeconomic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause. The disease can be so painful as to render a woman or teen unable to care for herself or her family, attend work, school, or social functions, or go about her normal routine. It can negatively affect every aspect of a woman's life; from her self-esteem and relationships, to her capacity to bear children, to her ability to be a contributing member of society.\n\nThe disease can currently only be diagnosed through invasive surgery, and the average delay in diagnosis is a staggering 9 years. A patient may seek the counsel of 5 or more physicians before her pain is adequately addressed. Once diagnosed, it is not unusual for a patient to undergo several pelvic surgeries and embark on many different hormonal and medical therapies in an attempt to treat her symptoms. None of the current treatments are entirely effective, and virtually all synthetic therapies carry significantly negative side effects; some lasting far beyond cessation of therapy. The exception to this is excision; see www.centerforendo.com to learn more about excision as the leading treatment.\n\nThough Endometriosis is one of the most prevalent illnesses affecting society today, awareness is sorely lacking and disease research continues to remain significantly under funded. For instance, in fiscal year 2000, the National Institutes of Health planned to spend $16.5 billion on research. Of that funding, only $2.7 million was earmarked for Endometriosis - amounting to approximately $.40/patient. This is in stark contrast to other illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Lupus, which received approximately $105.00 and $30.00 per patient, respectively. American businesses lose millions of dollars each year in lost productivity and work time because of
606835
EndoKnow is one of the many websites owned and operated by Takeda Abbott Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Lupron.  Their sole intention of offering EndoKnow and its sister sites is to get patient's private info and then spam them with ads about how great Lupron is (which it isn't).  It is a direct-to-consumer marketing tactic and should be avoided at all costs.\n\nFor free, current and accurate info on the disease, offered with no hidden agenda other than to support and educate patients, visit the Endometriosis Research Center @ www.endocenter.org.  Their literature states:\n\n"About Endometriosis:\n\nWith Endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, with Endometriosis, these implants have no way of leaving the body. The implants still break down and bleed, but result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur. Endometriosis has also been found lodged in the skin - and even the brain.\n\nSymptoms include chronic or intermittent pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation is not normal!), infertility, miscarriage(s), ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, dyspareunia (pain associated with intercourse), nausea / vomiting / abdominal cramping, diarrhea / constipation (particularly with menses), painful bowel movements, painful or burning urination, urinary frequency, retention, or urgency; fatigue, chronic pain, allergies and immune system-related illnesses are also commonly reported complaints of women who have Endo. It is quite possible to have some, all, or none of these symptoms. Endo symptoms are varied and often nonspecific, so they can easily masquerade as several other conditions, including adenomyosis ("Endometriosis Interna"), appendicitis, ovarian cysts, bowel obstructions, colon cancer, diverticulitis, ectopic pregnancy, fibroid tumors, gonorrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cancer, and PID.\n\nDespite today's age of medical advances, researchers remain unsure as what causes of Endometriosis. There is NO CURE, despite the continued propagation of such myths by the uninformed who still mistakenly believe that hysterectomy, pregnancy and/or menopause can "cure" the disease. Invasive surgery remains the gold standard of diagnosis, and current therapies continue to remain extremely limited, often carrying side effects.\n\nMistakenly minimized as "painful periods," Endometriosis is more than just "killer cramps." It is a leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, and accounts for more than half of the 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the US annually. Despite being more prevalent than breast cancer, Endometriosis continues to be treated as an insignificant ailment. Recent studies have even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and other serious illnesses in those with the disease, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself.\n\nResearch has shown that genetics, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxins like Dioxin may all be contributing factors to the development of the disease. Endometriosis knows no racial or socioeconomic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause. The disease can be so painful as to render a woman or teen unable to care for herself or her family, attend work, school, or social functions, or go about her normal routine. It can negatively affect every aspect of a woman's life; from her self-esteem and relationships, to her cap
356263
Um, if that doesn't happen you cannot have a child. But otherwise, it wouldn't necessarily effect the health of a woman. Some people are infertile, but it isn't harmful to their physical health.
631680
I have a lot of pain on my lower right side where my right ovary is.  I found out that I have endometriosis.  You really need to go to a doctor.  There's so much stuff in there to go wrong that's it's hard to know for sure.
423304
There is nowhere for the blood to go, hence the continued accumulation of debris, blood and scar tissue.  As this continues over time, the lesions and implants usually become larger and more painful with each cycle.  Endometriosis can wreak havoc, causing anatomical problems by distoring or twisting organs, causing debilitating pain during any time of the cycle, causing infertility and so much more.  It is imperative to obtain treatment by a true expert, someone who can EXCISE the disease from all locations and not just vaporize or ablate it.  See www.centerforendo.com and www.endometriosistreatment.org for more info on excision as the effective treatment for Endo.
890662
I am not a doctor, but a pretty studied nurse - just from the latin of the actual anitibody test I would guess Endometriosis.  Do you have Gynecoglical problems. Let me know please if I am close
469088
if you are female then look into endometriosis i had similar problems for years and years and every doctor i went said i was fine then i found a gyn that diagnosed me i had a hysterectomy and i am all better so research it your and good luck!
930683
Its because of the endometriosis!
736793
My uterus is tilted downwards, and I had no problems in getting pregnant..\nThere might be other issues causing infertility..\nMy advice, go see a fertility specialist...
599628
One is a painful disease that causes debilitating pain and other severe symptoms up to and including infertility; the other is a natural process that ends by giving birth.  The conditions are not related in any way other than the fact that Endo can cause pregnancy loss and miscarriage.  Also - pregnancy does not cure Endo, as some people still mistakenly believe.
858038
It can be a lot of things ranging from simply ovulating to things more severe like endometriosis(cyst on the ovaries) or other illness.  It would be best to see a doctor to determine what.
429087
I'm not sure what your question is, but here's a list of Endometriosis organizations that may be able to help you.\nhttp://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=lang_en&q=endometriosis&btnG=Search
505298
If she is healthy, it should not be a problem in the slightest.  33 is not that old, in terms of fertility.\n\nIf a problem arises, there are things that can help.  The general rule of thumb is, if you are under 35 and have been trying for a year, it's time to see a reproductive endocrinologist (RE). If you're over 35 and it's been 6 months, then consult the RE. There are a number of tests and therapies that can be tried to determine if in fact you are infertile, if so, why, and what treatment is best. For example, if Endometriosis is a cause, surgical removal of the Endo can help. If other factors are involved (female), perhaps certain medications (IVF protocol) can help. Other treatments/options exist if the cause of the infertility in the couple is due to the male factor. \n\nStart with the links below. Good luck! \n\nhttp://www.socrei.org/\nhttp://www.haveababy.com/\nhttp://www.inciid.org/\nhttp://www.resolve.or
845080
if endometriosis has to do with the lining of the uterus i get that part, but i wouldn't know why there is a high WBC\n(whitebloodcell) count.  if endometriosis is bad howeve, then having lots of WBC's sounds like the infection, if thats what it is, is going away.\n    the only other thing i think endometriosis is, might be regarding ones menstration perhaps?
541412
Hyperthyroidism may cause decrease in menstrual flow and infertility. Since you are under treatment and your symptoms are  under control you need not have any  anxiety.  Better to have periodical checkup.
829913
Could be any number of concerns ranging from Endometriosis to an inflamed/diseased gall bladder.  I assume at least one of the two docs you have seen is a gynecologist?  Make sure an ecoptic pregnancy is ruled out and consider a differential diagnosis of Endometriosis, fibroids, cysts or other reproductive concern; also, a visit to the gastroenterologist can be helpful to rule out gall bladder disease.  Good luck and don't stop seeing docs till you get one that gives you answers and helps you feel better.