If you have endometriosis, you might be wondering what endometriosis in menopause looks like. Does endometriosis go away after menopause? How do your symptoms change, if at all? So, let’s take a look at endometriosis in menopause and the changes you can expect.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition, often accompanied with pain, where the tissue, similar to the inside lining of your uterus, grows outside of the uterus.
Usually, this will impact the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue that lines the pelvis. Sometimes, you’ll see endometriosis growth beyond the area where your pelvic organs are situated, though this is rare.
Endometriosis tissue alone isn’t a bad thing. It works to thicken, then break down and bleed with every menstrual cycle. That said, when it grows in places it shouldn’t, it won’t leave the body.
Endometriosis that involves the ovaries will commonly produce cysts, called endometriomas. The tissue that surrounds them can then become irritated, causing scar tissue. On top of this, it’s not uncommon for groups of fibrous tissue to form, called adhesions, which can act as glue between pelvic tissues and organs.
Endometriosis can cause severe pain, particularly during your period. That said, sometimes endometriosis pain doesn’t have to be cyclical.
A staggering 10% of women around the world have endometriosis. Chances are that number is much higher, too, because endometriosis is such a tricky condition to diagnose. That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness and understand the condition, as many people will know someone who are suffering from it.
If you have endometriosis or you’re new to the condition, you might be wondering “where does endometriosis grow? And why is it a problem?”
When you have endometriosis, tissue - which is quite similar to your uterus’s lining - will grow outside of the uterus. The problem with that? It causes inflammation. It’s not meant to be there, after all. Over time, this will cause scarring to form in your pelvic region. Sometimes, endometriosis can spread, though this is less common.