Endometriosis and pregnancy, are there complications?

Endometriosis and pregnancy, what complications can this disease have

The female reproductive system is sometimes the scene of uncomfortable and worrying diseases and complications. Many mums and expectant mums who suffer or have suffered from endometriosis are therefore concerned about how this disease can affect their attempts to become pregnant or their pregnancy. Do you know the relationship between endometriosis and pregnancy?

Then come and find out with Baby on Board.

Endometriosis is a disease that causes questions among women, especially when they try to get pregnant or when the diagnosis is made already during pregnancy.

Although potentially dangerous if not properly diagnosed and treated, this disease is quite common and is estimated to affect around 20% of women. Problems such as high-risk pregnancy and eclampsia can result from this condition, and it is also common for symptoms such as constipation and haemorrhoids to worsen.

Being aware of the symptoms and knowing the main complications arising from endometriosis is important to ensure you follow the best course of action when living with endometriosis and pregnancy at the same time.

Today, to help you in this process, we went to find out more about endometriosis and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about endometriosis and pregnancy.

Want to know more about endometriosis and infertility? Want to know if endometriosis has a cure? And would you like to know which organs are most affected by this disease? Then this is the right article for you! Come with Baby on Board to know everything about endometriosis and pregnancy.

1. endometriosis: what is it?

Endometriosis is a cyst, with a liquid content and generally brownish in colour (brown), which appears, as we have already mentioned, in around 20% of women.

Explaining it in a simpler way, we could say that this is a situation that happens when the tissue that makes up the uterine lining (the endometrium) develops protrusions outside the organ, allowing fragments to be transported to other regions, such as the ovaries, the fallopian tubes and even the intestines.

The tendency for this tissue to continue to grow causes it, during menstruation, to suffer, like the endometrium, flaking, initiating the symptoms of endometriosis.

Endometriosis and infertility: what are the risks?

The appearance of endometriosis conditions are harmful to the reproductive system. When it happens in the ovary, this problem can reduce the number of eggs, thus also reducing the chances of getting pregnant.

In fact, although it is not impossible for a woman with endometriosis to become pregnant, the truth is that the chances of pregnancy reduce each month, jeopardising female fertility.

It is important for these women to seek specialized support, and it is common in these cases for the doctor to advise the woman to become pregnant soon or to freeze her eggs in order to eventually try in vitro fertilization.

2. What are the types of endometriosis? Where does this problem occur?

Although ovarian endometriosis is the most talked about, the truth is that there is a possibility that other organs are affected by the problem.

In addition to the ovaries, the regions around the uterus (such as the uterine ligaments or the Douglas sac), the internal uterine regions, the fallopian tubes, the bladder and the end regions of the intestine may be affected.

Endometriosis in the ovary

Endometrioma, endometriosis in the ovary or ovarian endometriosis (common names for this problem) and happens when endometrial tissues – which should only be inside the uterus – also cover the ovarian region.

Intestinal endometriosis

Endometriosis in the ovary often tends to worsen and spread to other regions (generating deep endometriosis) and therefore often creates more critical scenarios of intestinal endometriosis.

This happens when the tissues, not being eliminated during the menstrual period, reach the intestines, generating problems such as cramps and abdominal pain.

Endometriosis in the bladder

Just as happens in the intestines, the bladder can be affected by the presence of endometrium which, unlike what happens in the uterine region, is not eliminated during the menstrual period.

Remaining in the bladder walls, the endometrium will cause frequent urination, burning during urination or even pain in the bladder. These symptoms are most common during menstruation.

What is deep endometriosis?

Deep endometriosis is the most severe form of the disease. This is the main cause of infertility in women, although this is not always differentiated by a more effective demonstration of symptoms.

In this type of problem, apart from the ovary, other organs can be affected, and the extensions of the endometrium tissue can be up to 5 millimetres long and affect the uterus, its ligaments, bladder and intestines. Vagina and rectum are also affected in the most severe cases of the disease.