Endometriosis does not increase the susceptibility to COVID-19 infections, but alters the manifestation of the disease. The prevalence of the disease may depend on the interaction between the virus and the individual's immune system but further studies are required in this regard.
Endometriosis is defined as ectopic endometrial tissues dispersed outside the endometrium. This can cause disruption in hormonal and immunological processes, which may increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Worsening of endometriosis symptoms may occur as a result of this infection.
Endometriosis and immunity
Research has also shown that people with endometriosis have disturbed immune cell function – namely a specific type of immune cell called natural killer cells. These have a vital role in fighting viruses and tumours, but research shows they function more poorly in people with endometriosis.
Gynecological disorders such as endometriosis, menorrhagia, fibroids, PCOS, and adenomyosis predisposed participants to increase in post-vaccination menstrual in 1 study. 17 However, other studies found such disorders to not affect the post-vaccination menstrual cycle flow and timing.
Some rare types of ovarian cancer, like clear cell ovarian cancer and endometrioid ovarian cancer, are more common in women with endometriosis.
Over recent decades, endometriosis has been associated with the risk of several chronic diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, asthma or allergic manifestations, and cardiovascular diseases.
Conclusion. In our cohort, endometriosis was shown to be a significant risk factor for worsening of menstrual symptoms, after receiving the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine.
Therefore, COVID-19 can lead to serious gynecological issues such as infertility and menstrual abnormalities which impact the overall health of an individual as well as induce psychological stress associated with infertility.
The answer to both questions is yes, it's possible. Effects may vary from person to person. Emerging evidence suggests that vaccination can temporarily alter the length of the menstrual cycle.
Endometriosis can damage the reproductive organs and affect fertility. For example, adhesions and endometriosis tissue can damage the uterus, making it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant. It may also damage the ovaries, affecting egg quality and making it harder for a person to become pregnant.
Endometriosis has significant social, public health and economic implications. It can decrease quality of life due to severe pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety and infertility. Some individuals with endometriosis experience debilitating pain that prevents them from going to work or school.
Endometriosis flare-ups are periods of worsened pain and other symptoms that hormonal changes and increased inflammation trigger in the body. These triggers can occur with stress, lack of sleep, alcohol use, and inflammatory foods.
Like adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or who are immunocompromised can also be at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. Check out COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens for more information on vaccination information for children.
Adalja said that people at high risk for developing severe COVID-19 – the CDC's list includes people with diabetes, heart and lung conditions, weakened immune systems, kidney disease and more – still might want to wear masks in crowded indoor settings.
Endometriosis can happen in any girl or woman who has menstrual periods, but it is more common in women in their 30s and 40s. You might be more likely to get endometriosis if you have: Never had children. Menstrual periods that last more than seven days.
Another study reported that about 16% of women experienced menstrual disturbances following SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, most studies showed no significant sex hormone difference between controls and COVID-19 patients, severe and mild patients, or patients with and without menstrual changes.
The virus can also increase the likelihood of dangerous blood clots in the heart, lungs, legs, liver, and kidneys. It is recommended that those with COVID-19 are closely monitored after their recovery for any complications related to organ damage.
Some people, especially those who had severe COVID-19, experience multiorgan effects or autoimmune conditions with symptoms lasting weeks, months, or even years after COVID-19 illness. Multi-organ effects can involve many body systems, including the heart, lung, kidney, skin, and brain.
Endometriosis is classified into one of four stages (I-minimal, II-mild, III-moderate, and IV-severe) depending on location, extent, and depth of endometriosis implants; presence and severity of adhesions; and presence and size of ovarian endometriomas (Figure 2).
Even in severe cases of endometriosis, most can be treated with laparoscopic surgery. In laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon inserts a slender viewing instrument (laparoscope) through a small incision near your navel and inserts instruments to remove endometrial tissue through another small incision.
Endometritis is defined as an infection or inflammation of the endometrium. The normal endometrium does not harbour any microorganisms, but microbes from the cervix and vagina can ascend upwards and lead to inflammation and infection of the endometrium.
Infections could be a co factor causing endometriosis
Although not yet identified in the peritoneal cavity or in endometriosis lesions, it cannot be excluded that occasionally other viruses as retroviruses with a strong oncologic potential might find their way to the peritoneal cavity (Kassiotis, 2014).