Endometriosis is a relatively common gynaecological condition, estimated to affect about 2 million women in the UK including famously, Marylin Monroe, and more recently, the Coronation Street actress Katie Ford.
The condition results in tissue that behaves like the lining of the womb forming outside of the womb, usually the pelvis but can occur in the abdominal lining, the ovaries and fallopian tubes or the bowel and bladder. Symptoms are varied, depending on the location and severity of the tissue, and can include:
- Painful and or heavy periods.
- Premenstrual pain
- Pelvic pain possibly radiating to back and thighs
- Moderate to severe pain at the time of ovulation
- Painful sex
- Pain when passing urine and or blood in the urine
- Pain and difficult with opening bowels
- Bleeding from the bowel with the periods
- Difficulty in becoming pregnant
Endometriosis in Pregnancy
When endometriosis occurs during pregnancy, this can have significant implications. A recent article published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology entitled "Pregnancy after endometriosis: a new challenge?" looks at historical and contemporary studies to investigate how endometriosis can affect pregnancy. Complications found include rupture of the uterus, postpartum haemorrhage and obstructed labour, and less commonly, ruptured ectopic pregnancy, and ruptured endometriotic cysts. The researchers concluded that, while the complications in pregnancy caused by endometriosis has been known for over 75 years, not enough research has been done to fully investigate the impact of perinatal endometriosis, and that more research is required. Additionally, the authors point out that clinicians need to be aware of the potential endometriosis complications when a pregnant woman complains of unexplained pain or bleeding.
