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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.
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