If you've been diagnosed with endometriosis, which occurs when endometrial-like tissue that normally lines your uterus grows outside of its walls, wreaking havoc, you're probably well aware of how this condition can affect many systems in your body based on your symptoms (chronic pelvic pain, urinary and digestive issues, and so on). Endometriosis, like the renegade tissue growth itself, is far more than a gynecological condition. But what was the catalyst for it in the first place? Was it something you ate? Is it possible that genetics played a role? There are a lot of theories out there, and none of them are completely true.
Endometriosis May Be Genetic
It turns out that this is correct. There's a genetic element to it. According to the Endometriosis Association, certain families are predisposed to the disease. In fact, identical twins had similar symptoms in trials of both identical and fraternal twins, but fraternal twins had varied degrees of symptoms, showing that nature can play a role for certain women.
Period Problems Are the Cause
According to the Mayo Clinic, one long-standing idea points to something called retrograde menstruation as a possible cause. When blood travels back into your pelvic cavity through your fallopian tubes instead of exiting your body through the vagina, endometrial cells adhere to the pelvic walls, growing, thickening, and producing heavy bleeding during menstrual cycles. Other endo risk factors include starting your period early (around age 8) and having heavy periods lasting longer than seven days.
Blame Your Embryonic Cells
Some scientists feel that endometriosis can be inherited. When anomalies in a female fetus disrupt the normal development of a girl's reproductive tract, this is known as the Mullerian theory (in the Mullerian ducts). The fallopian tubes, uterus, uterine cervix, and upper section of the vagina originate from these ducts, which constitute the oldest form of the female reproductive tract. She says that when their growth is interrupted in the womb (perhaps due to environmental exposure), it can lead to endo later on.
Previous Surgeries Cause Endometriosis
This can happen, but it's uncommon. Endo cells may attach themselves to a surgical incision after a C-section or hysterectomy, and endo can be identified in abdominal scars following surgery, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. Still, the Mayo Clinic looked at 2,539 women with endometriosis, and 34 (1.34 percent) of them had endometriosis of the abdominal wall. A previous C-section surgery was suspected to have induced endo in more than half of the 34 women (59 percent).
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Is the Culprit
Even if correlation doesn't indicate causation, this theory has some merit because 90 percent of women with endo also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Endometriosis should be taken carefully if IBS is bothersome and flares up during periods. These lesions can only be verified and seen through laparoscopy. Patients do remarkably well after having their implants removed. It is also recommended that endo patients avoid gluten, soy, and dairy products and eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, such as almonds, avocados, broccoli, blueberries, and garlic.
It’s Your Lymphatic System
This is a brand-new theory. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the lymphatic system is a portion of the immune system that defends the body against illness-causing disorders, maintains bodily fluids, and removes waste when it is functioning properly. Problems can arise when it is out of whack. According to a recent study published in Reproductive Science, lymph nodes are linked to deeply infiltrating endometrial bowel lesions. The study also suggests that endo cells travel from the circulatory and lymphatic systems to various parts of the body (including the lungs, eyes, and brain) where they implant to form new endo lesions.
