Deep In uterine lining growth
Diaphragmatic endometriosis symptoms is a lesser-known yet significant form of endometriosis, a painful condition where endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterus. This tissue can find its way into the diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle beneath the lungs that helps with breathing.
Symptoms
If endometriosis is present in the pelvis and diaphragm, symptoms can include pain and cramps before and during periods, pain during sex, heavy bleeding during or in between periods, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and difficulty getting pregnant. In some cases, covid symptoms may not cause any symptoms, but if it does, pain can occur in the chest, upper abdomen, right shoulder, arm, and during breathing or coughing. In rare cases, it can lead to a collapsed lung.
Diagnosis
The best way to diagnose diaphragmatic endometriosis is through laparoscopy, a procedure where a surgeon makes small cuts in the abdomen, inserts a scope with a camera, and collects small tissue samples for examination.
Treatment
Surgery is the main treatment for diaphragmatic endometriosis, and it can be performed through laparotomy, thoracoscopy, or laparoscopy. In a small study, laparotomy treatment for diaphragmatic endometriosis reduced symptoms in all women and completely relieved chest and shoulder pain in seven out of eight women.
Hormone therapy can also be used to manage symptoms and slow the growth of endometrium-like tissue. Hormonal treatments include birth control, GnRH agonists or antagonists, danazol, and progestin injections. Over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproscen can be used to manage pain.
Stages and Fertility
The stages of endometriosis, established by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, are not based on symptoms. Symptoms can be significant even with stage 1 or stage 2 disease. Up to 50% of people with endometriosis experience difficulties getting pregnant. Surgery and in vitro fertilization can increase your odds of getting pregnant.
Women with diaphragmatic endometriosis almost always have endometriosis in their pelvis as well. Endometriosis of your diaphragm shouldn't affect your pregnancy, but many people with this form of endometriosis also have it in their ovaries and other pelvic organs, which can cause fertility problems.
Causes and Resources
Doctors don't know exactly what causes diaphragmatic or other types of endometriosis, but the most accepted theory is retrograde menstruation. Other possible contributors to endometriosis include cell transformation, genetics, inflammation, and fetal development.
Your outlook depends on how severe your endometriosis is and how it's treated. The Endometriosis Foundation of America and the Endometriosis Association are resources for finding support in your area.
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