Endometriosis and Menopause - What to do if Symptoms Persist

Not many women can say they are looking forward to the day that menopause starts and start dealing with symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. However, for Endometriosis sufferers the thought of menopause can bring a welcome smile. So, why do these women have such a positive view of endometriosis and menopause?

Did you know that when women reach menopause, they tend to cease experiencing the painful and often debilitating symptoms of endometriosis?

Endometriosis symptoms can start to be felt any time after the onset of puberty. In other words, menstruating women are more at risk of developing endometriosis.

So, women are less likely to feel the painful effects of endometriosis if they are in their menopausal years.

This relief has made many women accept and even welcome the onset of menopause to relieve themselves of the Endometriosis related pains.

However, unfortunately, it's not that straight forward as it has been found that menopause does not guarantee the removal of all the endometriosis symptoms. But more on this in a moment.

To understand why menopause helps women overcome endometriosis symptoms, it helps to understand more about the nature of endometriosis.

The exact cause of the condition is not yet determined, but the reasons why the symptoms are felt once endometriosis has developed seem quite clear.

The uterus contains endometrial tissues that are directly affected by estrogen levels in the blood.

Every month estrogen levels increase and the endometrial glands in the uterus start producing lots of tissue to thicken the wall lining in readiness for pregnancy. When pregnancy doesn't occur the estrogen levels drop and the period starts.

Problems start when endometrial glands are found in other parts of the body like the kidneys, ovaries, bladder, abdominal wall, intestines and even the areas in-between these organs.

These deposits react in the same way as the glands that line the, swelling then shedding and bleeding. However, there is usually nowhere for the blood and debris to go, and this is what can cause the endometriosis symptoms, including the excruciating pain.

Menopause

During menopause, the ovaries are not active anymore. Estrogen levels dip and so women who regularly suffer from endometriosis who reach the menopause tend not to experience endometriosis symptoms anymore.

The same goes for younger women who elect to have their ovaries surgically removed in a bid to alleviate the pain endometriosis brings about. By taking this route, menopause is accelerated.

Recurrence

Unfortunately, menopause either natural or forced does not necessarily mean the end of endometriosis symptoms. If you take hormone replacements or if your body continues to produce hormones after menopause your symptoms can still remain.

But what should you do if endometriosis recurs during and after menopause?

Normally, your doctor would ask you to take pain relievers for pain relief. There are also a number of natural methods and simple lifestyle changes you can make that help reduce the endometriosis symptoms..

You can read more about the natural treatments for Endometriosis by signing up for our free newsletter below.

Endometriosis and menopause can have significant impacts on your life, so make sure you understand how the two are linked to choose the best solution.