Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It FeelsPotential Fatal ComplicationsCan Endo Cause Cancer?Untreated EndometriosisTreatmentWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Feels
Potential Fatal Complications
Can Endo Cause Cancer?
Untreated Endometriosis
Treatment
When to Seek Care
Endometriosisis not considered fatal, but it can lead to complications that are potentially life-threatening, such as bowel obstruction orectopicpregnancy.Endometriosiscan also cause symptoms that affect quality of life, such as pelvic and abdominal pain, bloating, and problems with fertility.Treatments are availableto help manage these symptoms and prevent serious complications.
This article will discuss what endometriosis feels like, its potentially life-threatening complications, its severe symptoms and complications, and what treatments are available for endometriosis.
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What Does Endometriosis Feel Like?
Endometriosis feels different for each person who has it. Some people experience severe symptoms, while others may have no noticeable symptoms.
Common symptoms of endometriosis include:
Potentially Fatal Complications of Endometriosis
Somepeople with endometriosisdon’t experience noticeable symptoms from adhesions and scar tissue, and may not know they have it; however, it can cause pain, symptoms related to the affected organs, and in some cases, life-threatening complications such as ectopic pregnancy or bowel blockage.
Bowel Obstruction
Endometrial tissue can grow on the bowels, most commonly on therecto sigmoidsite (an S-shaped area of the colon that connects to the rectum). This can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, rectal pain, and digestive problems.
Rarely can the bleeding and scar tissue that result from endometriosis on and around the bowel cause a bowel perforation (a hole in the bowel) or abowel obstruction(blocking of the bowel). This can reduce blood flow to the intestines and can be life-threatening.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Anectopic pregnancymeans that a fertilized egg implants and grows in an area outside the uterus. This type of pregnancy is nonviable and cannot be saved. More than 90% of ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube.
Endometrial tissue can obstruct the fertilized egg from traveling to the uterus, making it a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy.
The growing embryo can cause the tube to rupture. This can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding and requires emergency surgery.
Early symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are similar to those of a typical pregnancy, including:
Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms.
Serious symptoms can develop as the pregnancy grows, particularly if there is a fallopian tube rupture. Go to an emergency room if you experience any of the following:
Can Endometriosis Cause Cancer?
Some studies show that endometriosis is arisk factor for ovarian cancer, but research on whether endometriosis can raise the risk of developing endometrial cancer or breast cancer is conflicting.
While there is an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer with endometriosis, the increased risk appears slight and the risk is still low. It is important to be aware of the increased risk, but most people with endometriosis will not get ovarian cancer.
If untreated, endometriosis can cause severe symptoms or complications in some people.
Severe Symptoms and Complications
Endometriosis can lead to severe symptoms and complications such as:
While more research is needed, endometriosis has also been linked to other health conditions, such as:
Is Untreated Endometriosis Fatal?
Endometriosis isn’t considered fatal, but it can lead to complications and conditions that are life-threatening in severe cases. Treatment can help manage symptoms and lower the risk ofserious complications.
Avoiding Complications With Endometriosis Treatment
Treating endometriosis can help manage the conditions and its symptoms. Treatment may also help avoid complications.
Treatment for endometriosis can include:
Surgery
If needed, surgery can help manage endometriosis and slow its progress.
Surgery may include:
While surgery can helpremove tissue that leads to adhesions, the surgery itself may increase the chance of adhesions forming.It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider toweigh the benefits and risks of surgery.
If you have symptoms of endometriosis, talk to a healthcare provider, particularly if the symptoms are impacting your life. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.
Signs to call a healthcare provider may include:
When to Seek Emergency TreatmentSeek emergency treatment if you experience:Sudden, severe pelvic painDizziness or lightheadedness due toheavy menstrual blood lossAnysymptomsyou feel are an emergency
When to Seek Emergency Treatment
Seek emergency treatment if you experience:Sudden, severe pelvic painDizziness or lightheadedness due toheavy menstrual blood lossAnysymptomsyou feel are an emergency
Seek emergency treatment if you experience:
Summary
Endometriosisis not considered fatal, but it can lead to complications that may be life-threatening, such as ectopic pregnancy and bowel obstruction.
Endometriosis can also cause serious symptoms and complications, such asproblems with fertility, bladder and bowel problems, ovarian cysts, adhesions, and a frozen pelvis. Endometriosis has been linked to increased ovarian cancer, but the risk remains low.
Treating endometriosis with medications such as hormonal birth control or with surgery may help reduce the risk of severe complications. Talk to a healthcare provider about whether treatment might be beneficial for you.
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