IBS and Endometriosis

What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is when the lining cells of the uterus flow backward into the pelvis and implant themselves into other tissues. These tissues normally include the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. Because the implants are sensitive to estrogen, they are cyclical. They will often grow, which causes pain, tubal blockage, and abnormal bleeding.

Research has yet to surface what really causes endometriosis, which also makes it difficult to diagnose. Doctors perform a laparoscopic procedure through the pelvis and the abdomen to diagnose the problem.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome can also be difficult and is normally based on a patient's history of bowel patterns, kind of pain, the timing of the pain, and the elimination of other diseases during physical examination.

IBS is often more common than endometriosis, even though they have many common features. This also includes commonly being misdiagnosed. IBS is a relatively common syndrome of discomfort of the abdomen, which can include pain, changes in bowel habits -- constipation and diarrhea -- and bloating. Several areas or just one area of the abdomen can experience dull aching and pain from cramping. For some this pain never ceases and requires treatment.

IBS and Endometriosis
Endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome are often times mistaken for one another. At times women think they are suffering from IBS, and even some doctors, when in fact these women have endometriosis. The only way of diagnosing endometriosis is through examination the tissue and because this is not a normal procedure, diagnoses are often wrong. This mistake is very common.

Intestinal endometriosis happens as the endometrial tissue moves into the bowel. The bowel then swells, sheds, and bleeds in accordance with the menstrual cycle. Symptoms are usually tracked along with the menstrual cycle. Some women only have IBS symptoms during their cycles while others have IBS symptoms all the time, which increases during their menstruation.

The Spread of Endometriosis
Endometriosis can spread to the intestines. A sign to look for is the appearance of blood in bowel movements during menstruation. Only a doctor visit will be able to diagnose intestinal endometriosis, and if these symptoms are discovered a visit should be made as soon as possible.

Intestinal endometriosis can happen in as much as thirty-four percent of women, as stated by some, or as few as five to ten percent, as stated by others. Intestinal endometriosis, once diagnosed, can be treated with natural remedies, medications, or through laparoscopic surgery to remove the rogue implants to stop endometriosis with IBS symptoms.

Women can have frequent bowel and abdominal symptoms that can be attributed to IBS or the spread of endometriosis to the intestinal walls. Symptoms for this include nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, significant bloating, increased gas, cramping pain, painful bowel movements, and sharp rectal pain. Constipation may also vary with menstrual cycles. Unexplainable iron deficiency may also arise through anemia, which can trigger the presence of intestinal endometriosis. Rectal bleeding during the menstruation cycle is also a common symptom. These symptoms can fade and them worsen during the menstruation cycle.