After screening 474 articles, 19 studies met the eligibility criteria for the systematic review, and 15 studies were included in the meta-analyses. A total of 17,799 patients were analyzed. The pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in endometriosis patients was 7.5%.
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.
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.
Some rare types of ovarian cancer, like clear cell ovarian cancer and endometrioid ovarian cancer, are more common in women with endometriosis.
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.
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.
Endo belly is the colloquial term for abdominal distension caused by endometriosis. Unlike the short-term bloating that sometimes accompanies your period, endo belly is much more severe, triggering physical, mental, and emotional symptoms.
The main cause of endometriosis-related fatigue is the body's effort to eliminate diseased tissue. While the immune system attempts to combat endometriosis, cytokines, also known as inflammatory toxins, are secreted by the tissue. What patients feel to be fatigue is the result of these internal chemicals.
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).
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.
With endometriosis, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This leads to inflammation and scar tissue forming in the pelvic region and (rarely) elsewhere in the body. The cause of endometriosis is unknown. There is no known way to prevent endometriosis.
Endometriosis can affect women across all ethnic backgrounds and at any age, but it most commonly affects women during their reproductive years between the ages of 25 and 35.
Some women call the pain from endometriosis “killer cramps” because it can be severe enough to stop you in your tracks. For many, it gets worse as they get older. Other endometriosis symptoms include: Very long or heavy periods.
If your endometriosis symptoms prevent you from working, you have the same rights as with any other illness. You're entitled to self-certify yourself from work in the event of a short period. You'd only need to talk to your GP if you think you'll need to be off from work for longer than seven consecutive days.
Caffeine can increase endometriosis pain, aggravate the digestive symptoms many women experience, and can heighten the anxiety that comes with endometriosis.
Endo belly is a buildup of inflammation and gas inside the abdomen. It typically occurs before or during your period (menstruation). The main endo belly symptom is a painful, swollen abdomen. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation, diarrhea and nausea, are also common.