30-Second Blog Snapshot:
- According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), women with endometriosis are more likely to have other chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
- That said, many women wonder why these two conditions are related and if there are treatment options that can mitigate the two disorders.
- In this blog, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss the relationship between endometriosis and fibromyalgia.
Endometriosis is a complex condition that causes uterine tissue (endometrium) to grow outside the uterus on places like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels, and more. Although the displaced endometrial tissue acts normally during menstruation, it can become trapped and cause cysts to form in the ovaries. Eventually, scar tissue and other adhesions may form, causing pain and the possibility of infertility.
According to researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), George Washington University, and the Endometriosis Association, women with endometriosis are more likely to have other chronic conditions including, but not limited to:
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Autoimmune disorders
- Allergies, asthma, and eczema
- Endocrine disorders
In regards to fibromyalgia, researchers discovered women with endometriosis were twice as likely to have fibromyalgia than those who did not have the condition. Moreover, 31% of women diagnosed with endometriosis had also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Although researchers are unsure as to why both conditions are linked, it is clear fibromyalgia and endometriosis do have some kind of relationship.
When it comes to treating both conditions, it’s important the team at Southwest Spine and Pain Center coordinates care with the affected patient’s primary care physician or gynecologist. Pain medications and hormone therapy may be considered to mitigate endometriosis pain. A corticosteroid injection may be considered for this type of pelvic pain, but again, it’s important the patient’s treatment options are coordinated with a PCP or gynecologist.
Alternative therapies such as behavioral medicine, physical therapy, and more may be considered to help a patient manage their fibromyalgia and endometriosis pain. To learn more about treatment for both conditions, schedule an appointment with a specialist at Southwest Spine and Pain Center today!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With multiple locations across the state of Utah, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.