What are the risks of untreated endometriosis?
Endometriosis can also cause other symptoms, including:
- bleeding or spotting in between periods.
- excessive bloating.
- cramping.
- diarrhea.
- constipation.
- nausea.
- difficulty getting pregnant.
Endometriosis creates endometrial cells that resemble the uterus lining, causing them to grow in atypical places in the body instead of inside of the uterus.
Endometrial tissue plays a role in the bleeding that occurs during a woman’s menstrual cycle and cramping that expels the uterine lining.
When endometrium-like tissue tissue grows outside the uterus, the results can be painful and problematic.
Endometriosis can result in the following complications, which could be fatal if untreated:
Ectopic pregnancy
A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.
The fertilized egg can't survive outside the uterus. If left to grow, it may damage nearby organs and cause life-threatening loss of blood.
Symptoms include pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding.
To prevent complications, treatment is needed. In the early stages, medications may be sufficient. Later stages require surgery.
Some common symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include vaginal bleeding that’s abnormal, mild cramping occurring on one side of the pelvis, and low back pain.
To prevent complications, treatment is needed. In the early stages, medications may be sufficient. Later stages require surgery.
Rare
Fewer than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging always required
Short-term: resolves within days to weeks
Critical: needs emergency care
According to an analysis of 15 studies Trusted Source, women with endometriosis are more likely to experience an ectopic pregnancy.
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include vaginal bleeding that’s abnormal, mild cramping occurring on one side of the pelvis, and low back pain.
