Endometriosis Related To Thyroid Condition

By Shelley Ross - 2006-10-30 - Viewed 2683 times. Find more articles like this in our Womens Health Issues category.

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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.

Shelley Ross has an interest in Endometriosis. For further information on Endometriosis please visit http://www.treatendometriosis.com/endometriosis.html

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