#ThursdayThoughts
As promised, each Thursday, we will now offer you a piece of educational, science, or research related information. The purpose of our #ThursdayThoughts post is to share with you fact-based content that can enlighten and assist you on your fertility journey. Enjoy our post! Helping to Create New Beginnings….
Endometriosis of uterus and infertility
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus, “the endometrium,” grows outside of the uterus. This tissue can be found on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the intestines, as well as other organs. It is frequently associated with painful menstrual cycles. Since tissue outside of the uterus goes through the same growth and breakdown cycles as the endometrium in the uterus, it can cause inflammation, pain, formation of scar tissue, and adhesions possibly leading to fertility problems. When endometrial implants invade the uterine muscle, the condition is called adenomyosis. It may make the uterus look bigger or “globular” on ultrasound examination and may sometimes be confused with fibroids. In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus is recommended to make the diagnosis. An MRI may help to distinguish diffuse adenomyosis, where endometrial implants are dispersed diffusely throughout the uterine muscle, from focal adenomyosis with endometrial implants on internal or external layers of the uterine muscle. According to Bourdon et al., the presence of the focal adenomyosis of the outer myometrium (FAOM) was significantly associated with infertility while diffuse adenomyosis was not.
If you are experiencing painful menstrual cycles or suspect that you may have endometriosis and having difficulty conceiving, our experienced physicians can help you find the right treatment. Please contact Fertility Institute of Hawaii at 808-545-2800 to schedule your appointment.
Reference: https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(20)30590-2/abstract
