Fibroids and endometriosis can occur together or separately, causing menstrual irregularities, pelvic pain, and fertility problems. Both conditions involve abnormal tissue growth and can interfere with pregnancy. Symptoms can include pelvic pain, difficulty using the bathroom, and heavy or irregular periods.
Fibroids and endometriosis are medical conditions that can coexist in the same patient or occur independently of each other. When the two conditions are present at the same time, they can be the cause of the patient’s complaints of menstrual irregularities and pain or pressure in the pelvic region. About 15% of patients diagnosed with endometriosis also have fibroids or another medical condition affecting the female reproductive organs.
Both fibroids and endometriosis have some characteristics in common. These conditions are most commonly diagnosed in women of childbearing age. Each has the potential to interfere with, or even prevent, a woman’s ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. They can also be at the root of abnormal menstrual periods.
These medical concerns also involve the growth of tissue in a place where it is not normally found. In the case of endometriosis, the woman has cells normally found in the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, in other parts of the pelvis. The tissue can stick to the ovaries or fallopian tubes. In rare cases, the endometrium can be found on the bowel, bladder, appendix, or attached to cesarean section or laparoscopic scarring.
Fibroids are non-malignant tumors of the uterus. They can attach to the inner wall of the uterus or grow within the wall itself. In some cases, a fibroid can look like a stalk growing from the uterus. These tumors are made up of muscle tissue and cause heavy or irregular periods.
The symptoms of fibroids and endometriosis can be similar for some women. Both conditions can cause pelvic pain, although it is possible for a woman to have endometriosis and not experience any symptoms. In case of endometriosis, discomfort can be felt in the lower back and abdomen.
Difficulty using the bathroom can also be related to fibroids and endometriosis. Both of these conditions can cause rectal pressure, leading to constipation. In the case of endometriosis, this symptom can become more pronounced during menstruation.
Fertility problems are also common to both of these medical conditions. In some cases, the reason for seeing a doctor is infertility. Only after trying to conceive for several months without success will a woman and her partner seek medical help. The presence of fibroids and endometriosis, or either of these conditions, can only be discovered during fertility testing.
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