These 3 Things May Increase Your Risk for Endometriosis

When your endometrium functions like it’s supposed to, this tissue lines the inside of your uterus, thickening and then shedding during your period. When you get pregnant, the egg implants in it. In other words, the endometrium plays a key role in your menstrual cycle. 

This tissue doesn’t always grow where it’s supposed to, though. If it grows outside your uterus, you’re diagnosed with endometriosis. That abnormal tissue growth is often painful and can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall wellness. 

Our team at Elite Gynecology in Manhattan, Forest Hills, and Rego Park, New York, can help. As specialists in endometriosis, we work with you to figure out if your symptoms are coming from abnormal endometrium placement. If so, we develop a personalized treatment plan to help ease your discomfort. 

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms like painful periods, bowel movements, or sex, or you’re having trouble getting pregnant, endometriosis could be to blame. This is particularly true if you fit into any of these risk factor categories: 

1. A family history of endometriosis

You’re significantly more likely to experience endometriosis if one of your family members has had it, especially if it’s a close member like a mom or sister. Experts estimate that a genetic link to this condition increases your risk by as much as 10 times. 

2. The timing of your menstrual cycle

During each menstrual cycle, the endometrium — the lining of your uterus — sheds and then begins to rebuild. The more frequently this process occurs, the greater the chance that endometrial tissue may develop outside your uterus, where it doesn’t belong. As a result, your risk goes up if you:

• Started your period before age 12
• Have a menstrual cycle that’s shorter than 28 days
• Usually menstruate for more than 7 days

This can be a bit of a chicken-or-egg scenario. These period-based factors can increase your risk for endometriosis, but endometriosis can affect your menstrual cycle too. With this condition, you might have heavier periods, bleed between periods, and have more painful cramps. 

3. Never getting pregnant

Both pregnancy and breastfeeding can lower your risk of endometriosis. The way your hormones change during this process suppresses menstruation, which reduces the likelihood of abnormal endometrium growth. 

Again, there’s a two-way relationship between this risk factor and endometriosis. Specifically, endometriosis can affect your fertility. While it’s absolutely possible to get pregnant with endometriosis, this condition often makes it more challenging to conceive. 

What to do if you think you have endometriosis

If you think you might have abnormal endometrium growth, come see our team. We start your care by using diagnostic tools. 

At our office, your options range from a pelvic exam to a laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that can conclusively confirm you have endometriosis. 

If you do have this condition, we tailor a care plan to you and your goals, whether that’s less pain or getting pregnant. That could mean taking hormonal birth control, anti-inflammatory medications, or exploring surgery. 

To start on the path toward relief from your symptoms, come see our team. Call Elite Gynecology or book a consultation online today.