Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where the uterus lining (known as endometrium) grows in places other than inside the uterus. It can grow in places like the fallopian tubes, ovaries, along the pelvic area and in some cases in the respiratory areas.

During menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus breaks down and flows as menstrual blood. However, when this tissue grows outside the uterus, there is no way for the blood to exit. This leads to accumulation of the blood, forming cysts and adhesions which can affect fertility and bowel movements.

Many young girls and women experience dysmenorrhea (or painful menstrual cramps) during their monthly ordeal, but for some, it can be very disruptive to their daily routines. Menstrual cramps happen when the uterus muscles contract and it can be accompanied by pain in the lower back and pain radiating down the legs.

The pain of endometriosis can be more severe than the usual menstrual cramps. There is also a small population of women with endometriosis that goes undetected because they do not experience any symptoms at all, but realize they have the condition when they are unable to get pregnant, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Symtoms include:

Some women may not experience symptoms at all and only discover the condition when they face difficulty getting pregnant.

The biggest complication of endometriosis is that it affects a woman’s fertility. Women with endometriosis may have difficulty getting pregnant. This is due to:

Women is at risk of endometriosis and it may be one of the contributing factors of declining birth rates among Malaysian women. Some women who have difficulty in conceiving exhibit signs and symptoms of endometriosis. Consequently, other women who have endometriosis experience infertility.

Many women in Malaysia choose to suffer the pain caused by endometriosis in silence because it is still considered a discouraged subject to discuss about one’s menstrual periods, given our Asian cultural background. Malaysian women or young girls sought after the use of painkillers to reduce the pain instead of seeking medical attention or proper diagnosis.

It is also important to remember that there are women with endometriosis that are able to conceive without any medical assistance, such as surgery or medication.

If you suspect that you have endometriosis and have been trying to conceive for a while now, do speak to a doctor or specialist about it or make an appointment with our Fertility Specialist. The Specialist will perform the below tests to further determine the cause of your symptoms above :-

If you do find out that you have endometriosis, the sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner your Specialist can help you make a plan to manage your symptoms.

There are a few options that you can consider overcoming endometriosis, and one of them is through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) services such as IVF – if you are trying to conceive. Other options would be through laparoscopic surgery and/or medications. Either way, it is important that your endometriosis is properly assessed and treated by an experienced gynaecologist or specialist.

If you suspect that you have endometriosis and have been trying to conceive for a while now, do speak to a doctor or specialist about it or make an appointment with our Fertility Specialist.