Risks of Endometriosis During Pregnancy

Endometriosis is a reproductive disorder affecting 2-10% of American women. It can cause pain and discomfort in the reproductive organs, and is one of the leading causes of infertility in women.

Endometriosis, or endo, occurs when the endometrial tissue that normally lines the walls of the uterus begins to form on the outside of the uterine cavity. Your normal menstrual cycle flushes this tissue out each month, but not in the case of endometriosis because it is growing outside of the uterus. It becomes stuck where it develops, and it can cause irritation to the surrounding tissue that can lead to scarring, lesions, fibrous tissue, and/or cysts to develop.

Symptoms of endo are similar to those of normal menstruation, but are typically more painful and/or severe. Some of the symptoms of endo include but are not limited to: