MYTH!
EndoAlert.org writes:
“As much as it hurts to think about it, there is no cure for endometriosis. During pregnancy a woman’s body is greatly deprived of estrogen. This can reduce the symptoms of endometriosis during the time that a woman is pregnant but it does not get rid of it. Doctors or specialists who are unfamiliar with the disease may recommend this as a form of treatment but they may be working from the assumption that you are ready for parenthood. Endometriosis does have an affect on fertility so if childbearing is something your interested in you should discuss this with your doctor so that your treatment can be tailored toward preserving fertility for the time when you are ready to become a parent.”
For more on EndoAlert, check out their news page at:
http://endoalert.org/currentnews.php
The Endometriosis Research Center (ERC) FAQ says,
My doctor told me pregnancy cures Endometriosis, so I’m going to try to get pregnant. Is this a good idea?
“Only you and your partner know whether it’s the right time in your life to become parents. Pregnancy should never be prescribed as a treatment for an illness! Pregnancy can keep symptoms at bay for some women, but it is not a cure.”
For more on the ERC, check out their ‘about us’ page at:
http://www.endocenter.org/about.htm
The endometriosis.org FAQ says:
WILL PREGNANCY CURE ENDOMETRIOSIS?
“No. Some women find that their pain symptoms are reduced during pregnancy, but this is not the case for everyone. In most cases, endometriosis will return after giving birth and stopping breast feeding.
“Fortunately, the myth that pregnancy cures endometriosis is slowly disappearing. However, it is not disappearing fast enough! The reality is that pregnancy—like hormonal drug treatments—usually suppresses the symptoms of endometriosis but does not eradicate the disease itself. Therefore, symptoms usually recur after the birth of the child. Most women can delay the return of symptoms by breastfeeding, but only while the breastfeeding is frequent enough and intense enough to suppress the menstrual cycle.”
For more on endometriosis.org, check out their F.A.Q. at:
http://www.endometriosis.org/faq.html
and their ‘about us’ page at:
http://www.endometriosis.org/organisation.html
Notable endometriosis surgeon Dr. David Redwine writes:
“It has never been shown by any biopsy-controlled study that pregnancy eradicates or cures endometriosis. In fact, there are several studies which have shown a predominance of previously fertile women among patients diagnosed with endometriosis.” (Read more of what he has to say about this at his website!)
The Center for Endometriosis Care (CEC) writes:
“Pregnancy figures in one of the myths surrounding endometriosis. Women have been told, “you can’t get pregnant if you have endometriosis” as well as, “if you get pregnant you will cure endometriosis.” Neither statement is true.
“…Here is what happens: During pregnancy, ovulation stops. The endometriosis implants generally become less active, and may get smaller and less tender. This seems to be the result of the hormonal changes pregnancy brings. These include high levels of progesterone, the presence of HCG (human chorionic gonadatropin) and prolactin, among others. Menstruation stops, and many women with endometriosis feel much better while they are pregnant.
“…However, the disease does not go away during pregnancy. After pregnancy and nursing (and sometimes before then), the symptoms return, sometimes with a vengeance. It is heartbreaking to see a new mother struggle to cope with a debilitating disease at a time that should be joyous (if exhausting).”
For more on The Center for Endometriosis Care (CEC), check out their Q&A page at:
http://centerforendo.com/endoq&a.htm,
and their ‘about us’ page at:
http://centerforendo.com/aboutcec.htm.
See also the forum at steadyhealth.com, where women discuss pain from endo even during pregnancy.
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