Endometriosis Slideshow Pictures Infertility Slideshow Pictures Pelvic Pain Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Endometriosis Prognosis

Women experience a wide variety of responses to medical and exercise therapy. Responses range from complete resolution of symptoms to no relief and further progression of the disease. Hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries essentially causes menopause, and women who have this procedure can expect a considerable decrease in symptoms.

• Studies have shown women who have endometriosis are more likely than other women to have disorders in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. These include:
  
  
  • lupus,
    
    
  • Sjogren syndrome,
    
    
  • rheumatoid arthritis, and
    
    
  • multiple sclerosis.
    
    
• Researchers also found that women with endometriosis are more likely to have chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia (a disease involving pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments).
  
  
• Women with endometriosis are more likely to have asthma, allergies, and eczema (a skin condition).
  
  
• Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland) is more common women with endometriosis.
  
  
• Women with endometriosis also have a mildly increased risk for development of certain types of cancer of the ovary. This risk seems to be highest in women with endometriosis and primary infertility (those who have never borne a child), but the use of oral contraceptive pills appears to significantly reduce this risk.



• Infertility: Endometriosis is known to be a common cause of infertility in women, but it does not always cause infertility.
  
  
  • Research has shown that many women with untreated endometriosis have a decreased ability to conceive.
  
  
  
  • Issues concerning infertility are best discussed with a doctor, gynecologist, or fertility specialist; who can guide a woman toward appropriate treatment options.


• Pregnancy: If a woman is successful in becoming pregnant with endometriosis, she can expect the disease to have little, if any, impact on her pregnancy.
  
  
  • Because pregnant women do not have the changes in hormone levels that happen with ovulation and menstruation, they typically do not experience many of the symptoms associated with endometriosis.
  
  
  • If a woman is concerned about symptoms during pregnancy that might be associated with endometriosis, she should consult her doctor for more information and an evaluation.