New Strategies for Women with Silent Endometriosis

ByBela Angress

Silent endometriosis impacts reproductive health and may cause infertility. While there is no cure for endometriosis, it can be treated and its symptoms managed. MyReceptiva offers a test to detect this condition. Here are several new strategies for women with silent endometriosis:

Look for Uncommon Symptoms

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that is usually inside the uterus is found growing outside of it. The tissue can be located on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or intestines. Endometriosis usually causes uterine inflammation. 

Early detection allows patients to receive treatment, which can improve their chances of fertility and minimize discomfort throughout their cycle. Silent endometriosis presents more subtle symptoms than standard endometriosis, making it more challenging to detect. Look for symptoms such as: 

  • Mild pelvic or lower back pain: While women with standard endometriosis may experience severe back or pelvic pain, silent endometriosis patients usually have dull, intermittent pain.
  • Digestive issues: Bloating, diarrhea, and constipation that occur in sync with the menstrual cycle are often signs of endometriosis. 
  • Bleeding between cycles: This symptom may appear as spotting between periods or an irregular cycle. 

Infertility and dyspareunia, or pain during or after intercourse, are also signs of silent endometriosis. Women experiencing these symptoms should speak with a reproductive health specialist or other medical professional experienced in women’s healthcare. A specialist can order imaging tests, such as ultrasounds and MRIs, to help detect endometriosis.

Test for BCL6 Levels

A patient can also complete a test that checks BCL6 levels. The BCL6 protein appears when there is uterine inflammation. This marker serves as a detection tool for endometriosis. Higher BCL6 levels occur in both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. 

The MyReceptiva test checks for the presence of the BCL6 marker. A woman’s healthcare specialist takes a sample of the patient’s uterine lining and sends it to the lab, which tests the cells for the marker. This test should be conducted between seven and 10 days after the patient’s ovulation. 

The test has a 93% sensitivity rate. A positive BCL6 result indicates a 90% chance of endometriosis. Patients can then decide whether to pursue an official diagnosis through laparoscopic surgery. This surgery utilizes a camera to see the pelvic organs and find endometrial tissue. This surgery can also be used to treat endometriosis by removing scar tissue, adhesions, and endometrial growth. 

Undergo Hormone Therapy

Women with silent endometriosis can ask healthcare specialists about hormone therapy. Hormone therapy helps manage endometriosis and aids fertility. These treatments aim to improve ovulation regularity, allowing the body to release eggs, making it easier to conceive. Hormone suppression treatments include GnRH agonists and antagonists, which stop the menstrual cycle and lower inflammation. Progesterone treatment helps reduce endometrial growth outside the uterus and allows for tissue growth within the uterus. A thicker uterine lining creates an improved environment for embryo growth and development.

Learn About Fertility Assistance

Assisted reproductive technologies can help women who are experiencing infertility due to endometriosis. These methods include intrauterine insemination, which bypasses possible tissue blockage by placing sperm in the uterus. With in vitro fertilization (IVF), eggs are removed and fertilized with sperm. The embryo is then placed in the uterus. Undergoing hormonal treatments beforehand assists with IVF success.

Make Lifestyle Changes

Improving personal nutrition and making positive lifestyle changes helps patients manage endometriosis. During a meeting with a fertility specialist, the specialist will perform a health analysis by asking about the patient’s diet, exercise habits, and drug or alcohol consumption. After the analyses, the specialist will recommend nutritional adjustments that help manage symptoms. 

A balanced diet, including whole grains, protein-rich foods, and omega-3 fatty acids, helps improve hormone levels. Whole grains improve endometrium thickness, helping with embryo implantation. Quitting smoking and drug use and reducing caffeine intake have beneficial impacts on fertility.

Find Reproductive Health Information at MyReceptiva

A MyReceptiva test is conducted during a regular visit to a patient’s OB-GYN and does not require bed rest afterward. Results are typically available within seven to 10 business days. To help patients learn more about the test, we offer free phone consultations. A team member will review the testing process and address any questions during the call. To learn more about improving reproductive health, schedule a consultation or contact us via email today.