Endometriosis has both evident and hidden symptoms that may not be linked to the condition until after it’s diagnosed. Chronic pain and unpredictable flare-ups are obvious symptoms, but endometriosis may sometimes be silent. In such cases, you can experience uncommon symptoms of endometriosis, especially mental and emotional effects associated with unexplained infertility. Here are a few mental symptoms of endometriosis:
Anxiety and Depression
Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial cells grow outside the uterus. These abnormal growths typically occur around the ovaries or within the fallopian tubes, leading to impaired reproductive health. Endometriosis may be a cause of unexplained infertility, especially if you don’t experience noticeable symptoms, such as pain. The abnormal endometrial cells grow like normal cells every month in preparation for implantation. They’re also shed during menses, but their position results in blockage or clogging.
Such growths block the pathway for sperm to meet and fertilize eggs, resulting in higher difficulty becoming pregnant. Symptomatic endometriosis usually results in chronic pain, heavy menses, bowel issues, and other discomforts. Experiencing these symptoms every month may breed anxiety, especially if conventional tests don’t reveal the cause. This not only disrupts your daily life but also leads to worry if the underlying cause remains undiagnosed.
If the condition leads to infertility, the lack of a clear explanation from doctors can add to the feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Although asymptomatic cases don’t have obvious discomforts, they may cause uncommon symptoms of endometriosis that impact your mental health. Uncertainty about the reason behind your failed pregnancy attempt or IVF treatment can lead to a fear of never conceiving. Doctors often recommend additional tests, such as BCL-6, to check for markers of endometriosis before exploring assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.
Loss and Grief
Endometriosis may lead to infertility, repeated miscarriages, or failed IVFs. The abnormal cell growths prevent fertilization and lead to the inflammation of the uterine lining. An inflamed uterine lining won’t properly support implantation and embryo development. If endometriosis blocks the pathway for fertilization, you may be diagnosed with unexplained infertility, especially if the condition has no other symptoms.
A BCL-6 test looks for markers of an inflamed endometrium. If the results are positive, a doctor may use imaging tests and laparoscopic biopsies. Confirmation of the condition allows you to seek targeted treatments, such as surgical removal. For cases that impact your reproductive health, endometriosis can lead to pregnancy loss and miscarriages.
Losing a pregnancy often causes grief and can result in depression. Failed IVFs also cause mental stress, given that such treatments are often sought to address the inability to conceive. Taking a BCL-6 test allows doctors to determine whether endometriosis is the reason behind your infertility or IVF failure. Fertility doctors also recommend CD138 tests, which check for plasma related to fighting bacterial infections. The test helps reveal conditions, such as endometritis, a chronic bacterial infection, and progesterone resistance.
Fatigue and Insomnia
Both symptomatic and asymptomatic endometriosis could lead to fatigue and insomnia. Symptomatic cases cause chronic pain, especially during ovulation and menses. The pain sometimes disrupts your sleep, resulting in worry and poor sleep quality.
Hormonal fluctuations from hormonal therapies can also lead to mood swings. These symptoms often interrupt sleep and mental wellness, resulting in poor rest and consequent fatigue and insomnia. Asymptomatic endometriosis could also lead to unexplained infertility, which leaves you worried about the underlying issue. Dealing with such situations often leads to poor sleep cycles, increasing the chances of fatigue, irritability, and insomnia. Fertility doctors recommend undergoing a comprehensive evaluation when faced with reproductive health issues.
If endometriosis is the underlying medical condition, doctors can address it to increase your chances of a natural birth and successful IVF. If conventional bloodwork, Pap Smear, and imaging don’t reveal any issue, seek alternative tests, such as BCL-6 and CD138. These tests check for markers of unexplained infertility and issues missed by conventional diagnosis. Treating the endometriosis and successfully starting a family may resolve your mental distress and discomfort that keeps you from sleeping.
Diagnose Uncommon Symptoms of Endometriosis
If you’ve tried to get pregnant for several months without success, seek the professional insight of a fertility specialist. Sometimes the cause of infertility is endometriosis, which can be symptomatic or hidden. Get a BCL-6 test today to confirm or rule out uncommon symptoms of endometriosis.