Silent endometriosis does not typically cause symptoms that are easily noticeable and can be challenging to diagnose. It can impact fertility by causing recurrent pregnancy loss or difficulties with conception. Understanding menstrual health as a component of reproductive health involves several key aspects, including:
Silent Endometriosis and Its Connection to Reproductive Health
Menstrual health plays a key role in overall reproductive health. A regular and healthy menstrual cycle reflects a balanced hormone level and proper functioning of the uterus, ovaries, and endocrine system. Missed periods, severe pain, and excessive bleeding are signs of underlying reproductive health problems, such as endometriosis or a hormonal imbalance. Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the endometrium, the lining of the womb, is found within the wall of the uterus. Sometimes, these tissue patches, known as endometrial implants, generate no symptoms. They might cause extreme discomfort or reproductive issues in some women. Here are a few signs and symptoms of silent endometriosis:
Uterine Inflammation
The lining of the uterus can become swollen or irritated due to endometriosis. This is because the tissue similar to the endometrium wall grows outside the uterus. It can cause heavy or irregular periods and lower belly pain during menstruation, but sometimes there are no clear symptoms. Doctors diagnose uterine inflammation by doing a pelvic exam to check for tenderness and discharge. To test for infections, a biopsy of the uterine lining or samples from the cervix are taken. A timed endometrial biopsy detects BCL6 linked to uterine inflammation, helping doctors pinpoint the cause of pelvic pain or infertility.
Infertility Risk
Endometriosis may cause damage to the reproductive organs and affect the ability to conceive. Some women with silent endometriosis do not experience pain or other common signs but still face infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss. The condition impacts menstrual health and infertility by disrupting ovulation and causing absent or irregular periods. Pelvic exams and ultrasounds help doctors look for ovarian cysts or abnormal tissue caused by endometriosis. For treatment, hormone therapy helps control hormone levels and reduce endometriosis growth, allowing the embryo to implant successfully.
Spotting Between Periods
Spotting between periods is light bleeding or small amounts of blood outside of your normal menstrual cycle. It can happen because of changes in hormonal levels when you start or stop birth control, or during ovulation. Spotting may indicate infections in the cervix, vagina, or uterus. In some cases, spotting occurs early in pregnancy when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. Frequent spotting may indicate issues with the reproductive organs or pelvic inflammatory diseases. Hormonal therapy, such as birth control pills or progestins, is mainly used to suppress endometrial growth and reduce spotting. In severe cases, surgical removal of the lesions is recommended, especially if fertility is a concern.
Abdominal Cramping
Abdominal cramping during menstruation happens because the muscles in the uterus tighten and relax to help shed its lining. The pain starts a day or two before your period and eases after a few days once the prostaglandin levels go down. To manage abdominal cramping, your doctor performs blood and urine tests to check for inflammation and infection. Depending on the causes of abdominal cramping, the doctor recommends treatment options including pain relievers, lifestyle changes, and hormonal therapy. These treatments help reduce cramping and suppress the growth of endometriosis tissues.
Extremely painful ovulation may be a symptom of underlying reproductive health. When an egg is released from the ovary during your menstrual cycle, it can cause a sharp or dull pain on one side of the lower belly. This may occur about two weeks before your period starts, and last a few minutes to a couple of days. A small amount of blood or fluid released during ovulation can irritate the tissues around the ovary, causing discomfort. Painful ovulation is linked to endometriosis, which causes inflammation and can make ovulation pain worse. Testing for endometriosis through laparoscopy helps explain the cause of painful ovulation. With early identification of endometriosis, your doctor can administer pain management and hormone therapy medications to reduce pain and improve your reproductive health.
Learn More About Silent Endometriosis
Periodic testing and medical checkups can help detect silent endometriosis in women. Painful ovulation, severe abdominal pain, missed periods, and uterine inflammation are symptoms of endometriosis. Endometriosis testing is based on a timed endometrial biopsy sample collected by a healthcare specialist. Contact a reputable women’s healthcare service provider for a proper diagnosis, expert guidance, and effective treatment.
