Endometriosis is a women’s health issue that occurs when the tissue lining in the uterus’s innermost layer (endometrium) grows on the outside of the uterus. It’s advisable to visit an endometriosis specialist for diagnosis if you experience symptoms like recurring bowel or bladder pain, heavy and irregular periods, and dyspareunia (painful sex). This condition affects both fertility and pregnancy by causing scar tissue in the ovaries and oviducts, miscarriage, and hormonal imbalances. Here is how this condition may affect pregnancy:
Ectopic Pregnancy
As the endometrium tissue grows on the uterus’s outer part, inflammation and scarring occur in pelvic organs like the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Continued inflammation and scar tissue or adhesions can block the fallopian tube, preventing the fertilized egg from reaching the uterus. This causes the fertilized ova or egg to implant on the outside of the uterus, leading to ectopic pregnancy. The inner lining of the oviduct has microscopic hair-like structures, which aid the movement of the ova to the uterus after fertilization. Severe adhesions and inflammations may damage these structures, altering the oviduct’s normal functioning and causing ectopic pregnancy. Timely intervention by a women’s health care specialist can help remove the pregnancy and prevent complications like sepsis (blood infection), infertility, and a ruptured oviduct. Seek help if you notice vaginal bleeding, unexplained nausea, dizziness, fainting, and persistent pelvic pain after conceiving.
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum hemorrhage is a complication that involves excess bleeding after giving birth. Endometriosis increases the risk of this issue due to the high rate of uterine scarring because of the adhesions. Uterine atony is where the uterus fails to contract to its normal size and shape after childbirth, causing continued vaginal bleeding. The abnormal placentation associated with this condition also increases the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Because of the inflamed uterus, the placenta may cover the cervix or attach too deeply to the wall of the uterus. A too deeply attached placenta doesn’t easily detach after childbirth and can complicate future pregnancies. Women’s healthcare specialists perform pre-pregnancy assessments through a pelvic biopsy or ultrasound scanning to determine uterine atony or placentation problems.
Fetal Growth Restrictions
Due to the scarring and inflammation of the uterus, the uterine arteries may be damaged. This alters how oxygen and nutrients are transported to the fetus through the placenta. Insufficient oxygen or minerals can interfere with the normal placenta development as well as the growth of the fetus. If left untreated, this condition may damage the placenta, causing complications like preterm birth, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Endometriosis causes the progesterone hormone to become unresponsive and estrogen levels to spike, obstructing normal placenta development and blood flow to the fetus. Pelvic ultrasounds can help determine signs like a thin placenta, an undersized fetus, low levels of amniotic fluid, and decreased fetal activity or movement. Early detection of these complications allows a woman’s healthcare specialist to offer proper medical interventions, such as nutritional support, lifestyle changes, and medications. These interventions help optimize fetal development and pre-pregnancy health.
Visit an Endometriosis Specialist
Visiting a women’s healthcare specialist if you experience abnormal period or pregnancy symptoms allows for timely diagnosis, detection, and management of endometriosis. During the diagnosis process, your specialist may take you through the BCL6 test or endometrial biopsy, which enables accurate analysis of the endometriosis pathogenesis. The tests help determine the rate of uterine inflammation, scarring, cell growth, and immune response. Contact a professional women’s healthcare specialist today to learn more about available tests and treatment procedures.
