Endometriosis Related to Thyroid Condition

Nobody knows a woman’s body quite like that woman herself.  In many cases, a woman does not need a doctor to tell her when something isn’t right.  For many women, a general feeling that something isn’t right accompanied by pelvic pain, painful intercourse, or other related symptoms prompts them to enlist the aid of a gynecologist for a diagnosis.

Endometriosis is often the culprit.  Affecting millions of Americans each year, this disease can be bothersome in milder cases, but it can actually be debilitating in other cases.  For some women it means pain and discomfort.  For others, it means infertility.

Unfortunately, doctors don’t know the reason for the disease.  There are many theories, but none of them have been absolutely proven.  What research has unraveled, however, is a strong relation between endometriosis and thyroid condition.  In fact, some studies show that 40% of women suffering from endometriosis suffer from underactive thyroid.

Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism is a condition that is often diagnosed.  If you suffer from endometriosis, it would also be a good idea to get tested for this disorder.  There are various warning signs that may serve as a signal that you suffer from hypothyroidism.  The most common ones include depression, weight gain, fatigue, high cholesterol, hair loss, feeling cold, low libido, tingling in the hands and feet, and infertility.

Infertility is both a side effect of hypothyroidism and endometriosis.  In the case of endometriosis it occurs because of cells that lodge themselves outside of the uterus.  These are the same type of cells that build up inside of the uterus and are shed each month during menstruation.  When a woman develops endometriosis, however, the cells accumulate outside of the uterus.  When a woman menstruates, the cells don’t shed and they continue to build up.  This can lead to scar tissue and adhesions.  Often, the fallopian tubes are blocked, preventing a woman from conceiving.

Hypothyroidism also affects fertility.  Not only are your hormones unbalanced, a woman suffering from hypothyroidism often doesn’t experience ovulation.  Without ovulation, there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize.  With no egg to be fertilized, conception is impossible.  If you are not sure if you are ovulating, you can buy inexpensive ovulation kits at your local pharmacy or many supermarkets.  In a matter of minutes, you can find out if your body is ovulating as it should be.

As research continues, experts continue to explore links between hypothyroidism and endometriosis.  Doctors are also hopeful for a definitive cure for endometriosis, a disease that affects the lives of so many women.  It is important for endometriosis suffers to consider the possibility of other related disorders such as hypothyroidism.

It doesn’t hurt to talk with your doctor about the possibility of your having this disorder, taking a test, and finding out whether you do in fact have an improperly functioning thyroid. With so many treatment options available for both endometriosis and hypothyroid disease, it is important to receive the proper diagnoses that will you to work in conjunction with your doctor to follow the best course of treatment possible.

To discover more about Endometriosis symptoms and what you can do to reduce them please take a look at Treating Your Endometriosis for more information.

Is Your Stomach Pain Due to Endometriosis Wall Implants?

Abdominal pain can extend from a simple stomach upset to being the result of serious ailments. Many people experience abdominal pain from time to time and it can be caused by many factors. However, not all abdominal pain is related to the most common causes. In fact, the problem with some cases of abdominal pain is that the actual cause of the pain is often neglected and overlooked. This can be the case with abdominal endometriosis wall implants, as they are frequently misdiagnosed.

Technically, most of the internal organs are found in the abdominal cavity. It is divided into regions – the epigastric region, the umbilical and the pubic region.

Within these regions lie the different organs of the body, from which the abdominal pain is normally related to. With regards to endometriosis in the abdominal wall, the pain is related to a benign lesion or endometrial mass that grows in the abdominal wall.

The misplaced endometrium responds to hormonal changes during gynecologic conditions, such as the menstrual cycle.

When the uterus is going through its normal menstruation cycle, the formation of tissues outside the uterus bleeds too, but into areas with no openings for the menstrual debris. Hence, the result can be severe pain caused by inflammation. Scarring and adhesions form over time compounding the pain.

The formation of endometriosis in the abdominal wall is not a common occurrence compared to other areas that are usually effected by these misplaced cells.

The most common and direct cause for endometriosis growth in the abdominal wall is from surgery, normally caesarian sections.

Health experts say that endometrial tissues unintentionally may be moved to the abdominal wall by means of surgical instruments. Once here, the tissues take hold, develop and grow.

Diagnosis of endometriosis is normally supported by exploratory laparoscopic surgery and may involve imaging or physical examination.

In evaluating pain, most cases of endometriosis in the abdominal wall occur in the lower region of the abdominal cavity.

Statistical Information

The frequency of endometriosis abdominal wall cases is not high. This may be due to misdiagnosed cases of endometriosis or abdominal pains. However, statistical reports show that most cases appear in sufferers who have undergone previous gynecologic surgery.

Symptoms of Endometriosis in the Abdominal Wall

The only identifiable symptom of endometriosis in the abdominal wall is severe abdominal pain. However, not all abdominal pain can be directly associated with the condition.

One of the most common and effective ways to treat endometriosis that has invaded the abdomen wall is through surgery.

If your abdominal pain appears to be associated with your menstrual cycles and you’ve previously undergone surgery then you should raise the possibility of endometriosis wall implants with your doctor.

Don’t forget to sign up for the free endometriosis newsletter that uncovers effective ways to help women combat endometriosis symptoms. You’ll also find more on different complications like endometriosis wall implants.

How a Diet to reduce estrogen levels can be achieved

Fatty acids: It is known that fatty acids such as saturated fats, lard, butter and animal and organ meet increase the amount of PGF2a that is produced, while omega-3 fatty acids such as evening primrose oil, flax seeds and oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower oil and walnut oil increase production of PGE1. Therefore, when a woman decreases the amount of “bad fat” in her diet, she will experience positive results.

Fiber: Aside from decreasing the intake of bad fat, women seeking dietary treatment for their endometriosis should have a diet high in fiber. A high fiber diet (approximately 25 grams per day) can reduce the amount of circulating estrogens. Good sources of fiber are beans, brown rice, fruits and vegetables, oatmeal and whole grains.

Dairy: Just like bad fats can increase symptoms, so can diary products. Unfortunately, dairy (in the correct form) is a fantastic source of calcium. Therefore, if a woman chooses to eliminate diary from her diet, she needs to find other calcium sources by either taking supplements or eating foods that contain the mineral such as almonds, dark green veggies (IE. spinach, kale, broccoli, etc.), Figs, sesame seeds, etc.

Other food that should be avoided during menstruation includes caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, fried foods, salt, sugar and refined carbohydrates (IE bread, cake, pastries, pasta, etc.)

Finally, if foods are eliminated from a diet during menstruation, there may be a need to suplement the diet to maintan adequate nutrition levels. Before taking supplements, women should consult their doctor, a Dietician or a Nutritionalist.

You also can find out how such a controled diet improve endometriosis symptoms?

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Getting Endometriosis Diagnosed

If you believe you have endometriosis you should see a doctor immediately – plain and simple. Endometriosis is nearly impossible to diagnose without the help of a trained medical professional. In fact, it’s best to consult a doctor who specializes in women’s health. Generally, a routine physical examination can rule out endometriosis or require further tests to be performed. Once tests are performed it is fairly easy to conclusively diagnose endometriosis.

 

In addition to physical examinations, doctors have a variety of tests at their disposal to render a diagnosis of endometriosis. Imaging tests rely on the use of complicated machines that can actually create visual representations of what is going on inside the human body. In addition to letting doctors know what is going on, imaging tests can also pinpoint cysts and other abnormalities that may exist in the uterus. There are two commonly used imaging tests: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound.

 

When you get an MRI you are usually placed inside a machine, although newer technologies for a less claustrophobic experience are becoming more common. An MRI renders a three-dimensional image of a designated area of the human body. Using magnetic fields an MRI can provide a doctor with a superbly detailed image.

 

Ultrasound is another form of imaging used to diagnose endometriosis. This imaging technique has been used most often to observe the unborn fetus in the womb. However, there are other uses for ultrasound. Using soundwaves, this imaging device can also provide doctors with a clear picture of what is going on.

 

Biochemical markers are another excellent method that doctors and medical professionals can use to find out if endometriosis is present. Through research, it has been discovered that there are certain chemicals in the blood of women that have developed endometriosis that are not found in the same concentration in women without the condition. Researchers have developed tests that look for a specific antigen and a specific protein, which can often lead the way to a successful diagnosis. This is the least costly test other than a physical examination, and takes the least amount of time – all it requires is a small sample of blood to analyze.

 

Laparoscopy is another way to diagnose if a woman has developed endometriosis. This test is conducted by creating a small incision into the pelvic region. A tiny camera is then fed into the hole and doctors can watch the findings on a computer monitor. On the tip of the camera there is an equally tiny apparatus for collecting tissue. A tissue sample can be obtained in this way and analyzed to see if endometriosis has developed.

 

The only way to find out which test may be appropriate for you is to consult your doctor. These tests are highly effective in helping doctors to determine whether endometriosis is the correct diagnosis or whether there is another cause for the symptoms. Before undergoing any of these tests it is a good idea that you familiarize yourself with each one of them. It is important to understand what you are getting into before you undergo any medical procedure.

 

To learn more about how to take effective methods to gain control over your endometriosis symptoms, please visit the following site:

Everything you need to know about endometriosis