When menstrual blood and uterine tissue pass through the fallopian tubes and into the peritoneal cavity, it is called retrograde menstruation. Dr. John Sampson first suggested a connection between this phenomena and endometriosis in the 1920s, and this theory persisted for many years.
In This Article...
Does retrograde menstruation contribute to endometriosis?
Although the precise cause of endometriosis is unknown, the following factors may contribute: menstruation in retrograde. Menstrual blood with endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity during retrograde menstruation as opposed to leaving the body.
What is the theory of retrograde menstruation?
The earliest idea describing the origin of endometriosis is the retrograde menstruation theory. According to this idea, endometriosis develops as a result of the retrograde movement of shed endometrial cells and debris into the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tubes during menstruation. However, not all of the women who have retrograde menstruation and have patent fallopian tubes do so do so because of endometriosis. Endometriosis patients have more retrograde menstrual fluid in their pelvises than healthy women, which may increase the likelihood of endometriotic lesions implanting. By injecting autologous menstrual materials that simulate retrograde menstruation into the peritoneal cavity of baboons and macaques, it is feasible to cause endometriosis in non-human primate models. Up to 46% of the mice acquired endometriotic lesions in the pelvic cavity after a single injection of monthly endometrial tissue, whereas 100% of the animals had peritoneal endometriotic lesions after two successive cycles of injections of curetted menstrual endometrium. These lesions resembled ectopic endometriotic lesions in humans both histologically and clinically. Furthermore, ectopic implantation of full thickness endometrium, including the basalis layer, produced deep nodular endometriosis in a recent study, emphasizing the role of the basalis layer in the development of ectopic lesions. The deep endometrial basalis layer, on the other hand, is preserved throughout a woman’s lifetime, only the well-differentiated cells from the superficial functionalis layer are shed regularly with the menstrual flow. It is believed that this basalis is where endometrial functionalis regenerates after monthly shedding. Therefore, the non-human primate models may not perfectly mimic the processes of spontaneous retrograde menstruation by putting this basalis tissue with the capacity to create endometrial functional layer in the pelvis. Sampson’s idea is further supported by the observation that endometriosis risk and retrograde menstruation are increased by factors impeding menstruation, such as congenital defects like imperforate hymen and iatrogenic cervical stenosis. Endometriosis was also brought on by experimentally induced cervical stenosis in non-human monkey models of increased retrograde menstruation. The anatomical position of the sigmoid colon and the gravitational effects of gravity on regurgitated menstrual product may be to blame for the placement of superficial endometriotic lesions in the posterior and left side of the pelvis. This theory, meanwhile, has been challenged in the past because it is unable to account for the development of endometriosis in males, newborn babies, or prepubescent girls. Similar to menstrual bleeding, newborn uterine bleeding occurs in the early postpartum period in most girls after the cessation of (maternal) ovarian hormones. Retrograde flow of this uterine bleeding has been suggested as the cause of prepubertal endometriosis.
Why is there blood inside from my period?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that resembles the lining of your uterus grows outside of it and attaches to other organs or structures, frequently causing pain or infertility.
A noncancerous disorder known as endometriosis occurs when tissue that resembles the Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that resembles the lining of your uterus grows outside of it and attaches to other organs or structures, frequently causing pain or infertility. (Uterine lining) extends past the confines of the uterus and clings to many organs and tissues, most frequently those found in the pelvic, including the ovaries, intestines, fallopian tubes, and bladder. Rarely does it implant in other locations, such as the diaphragm, liver, lungs, or surgical sites.
It frequently contributes to infertility and pelvic pain. In the US, it affects roughly 5 million women.
Endometriosis, which was once thought to only affect adult women, is now frequently identified in young people as well.
Menstrual cramps and/or persistent pelvic pain are the most typical symptoms.
Others consist of:
- diarrhea and uncomfortable bowel movements, particularly when menstruating
- painful sex exchange
- abdomen sensitivity
- painful period cramps
- excessive bleeding during periods
- unpleasant urination
- pelvic pain that becomes worse when you workout
- uncomfortable pelvic exams
It is crucial to recognize that any or all of these symptoms might be caused by illnesses other than endometriosis, and other reasons may need to be ruled out. These include, but are not limited to, fibromyalgia, malabsorption syndromes, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, pelvic adhesions (scar tissue), ovarian masses, uterine anomalies, and, very infrequently, cancers.
Endometriosis tissue that has spread outside of the uterus still responds to hormones, particularly estrogen, from the ovaries, which instruct it to expand. Your uterine lining thickens each month due to the hormone estrogen. Menstrual flow results from the uterine lining being ejected from the uterus as estrogen levels fall (you get your period). But the tissue associated with endometriosis is effectively stuck, in contrast to the tissue lining your uterus, which exits your body when you menstruate.
Internal bleeding results from the tissue’s lack of a drain. Internal bleeding causes inflammation in your body, which can result in the development of scar tissue, commonly known as adhesions. Pain and other symptoms could be brought on by this inflammation and the scar tissue that results.
The displaced endometrial tissue may also establish its own blood supply to aid in proliferation and a nerve supply to connect with the brain, which is thought to be one cause of the condition’s excruciating pain and the other chronic pain disorders that so many women with endometriosis experience.
The severity and nature of symptoms range from barely perceptible to highly incapacitating. Sometimes, especially in women with so-called “unexplained infertility,” there are no symptoms at all.
You can have trouble getting pregnant if endometriosis causes the reproductive organs to become scarred. In fact, between 30 and 40 percent of endometriosis-afflicted women are infertile. Infertility can come from endometriosis, even if it is minor.
Many possibilities exist, however researchers do not yet know what causes endometriosis. Retrograde menstruation, often known as “reverse menstruation,” has been proposed as the primary reason. In this disorder, menstrual blood pushes backward through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity rather than flowing out of the cervix, the opening of the uterus to the vagina.
However, given the majority of women have some degree of retrograde menstruation without developing endometriosis, researchers think something else may be involved.
An immune system issue or a local hormonal imbalance, for instance, could be the cause of endometriosis and allow the endometrial tissue to establish roots and expand after being forced out of the uterus.
Some women’s abdominal cells may inadvertently develop into endometrial cells, according to other experts. The development of a woman’s reproductive organs at the embryonic stage is driven by the same cells. It is thought that these cells are altered by the woman’s genetic makeup or by environmental factors she is exposed to later in life, causing them to develop into endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Some people also believe that endometriosis might result from prior infections damaging the cells that line the pelvic.
According to certain research, environmental factors may contribute to the emergence of endometriosis. Environmental toxins like dioxin appear to alter immunological responses and reproductive hormones, however this notion has not been validated and is debatable in the medical world.
According to other researchers, the endometrium is aberrant in and of itself, which enables the tissue to separate and connect to different parts of the body.
According to studies, there may be a genetic component to endometriosis, with a higher chance if your mother or sibling had the condition. There is no conclusive evidence connecting any one genetic mutation to the illness.
How can I get rid of my retrogrades?
In order to lessen or stop menstrual flow, hormone prescriptions or hormonal IUDs are frequently used to treat retrograde menstruation. Retrograde menstruation can be treated by a hysterectomy, however this procedure is only utilized when the uterus needs to be removed for another cause.
Why isn’t my menstruation coming on?
A person’s menstrual flow can be changed by a number of causes, and this might cause an exceptionally mild period. Knowing the causes of light periodswhich can be brought on by body weight, activity, and stresscan be useful. Typically, lighter than typical periods are not a cause for alarm.
Can retrograde menstruation be brought on by a menstrual cup?
When urolithiasis is suspected, UCT is quick and effective for identifying pain in the right flank in non-pregnant women. The inferior part of the bladder was imprisoned in the intravaginal MC in this case; UCT revealed the hydronephrosis, allowed exclusion of a urinary calculus, and enabled an accurate diagnosis. In children and pregnant women, renal ultrasound (US) is the preferred diagnostic technique since it can detect upper tract dilatation and make it easier to analyze the bladder when it is full.
The best course of treatment is MC removal; if urosepsis is suspected, antibiotic therapy is crucial.
MCs are comparable to diaphragms and pessaries, and reports of hydronephrosis brought on by excessive pessary retention have been documented,,].
Can menstruation go backwards because of tampons?
Although it has been hypothesized that tampon use could lead to an increase in retrograde menstruation, endometriosis patients don’t seem to use tampons more frequently than non-sufferers in the general population, and most women are thought to experience retrograde menstruation whether or not they use tampons.
How would you recognize a clogged fallopian tube?
A laparoscopy or hysterosalpingogram may be recommended by your doctor to check the condition of your fallopian tubes (HSG). A catheter is used to introduce liquid dye into the uterus during an HSG test through the vagina (cervix). Then, X-rays are used to determine whether there is a blockage or whether the dye enters the abdomen freely. Saline, air, or foam are used in a different HSG technique that uses ultrasonic rather than X-rays. Your doctor can advise surgery to fix the damage or unclog the fallopian tubes if you have issues.
Your doctor may also suggest assisted reproductive methods that completely exclude the fallopian tubes if you are ovulating normally. These can include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (IVF).
Big blood clots during period: What does that mean?
Blood clots on sometimes during your menstruation are very typical. These frequently occur as a result of increased blood flow, which is a result of the uterine lining being lost. During your period, blood can coagulate in the uterus or vagina at any time, just as it does to close an open sore on your skin. Then you notice clots as it goes during menstruation.
However, huge clots, like those larger than a quarter, may be a sign of uterine fibroids. Here are some additional signs to look out for:
- unusually high flow
- significant cramping and pain in the abdomen
- Pain during sexual activity
A Word About Menstruation
The consistency of the menstrual flow might change at any time, both inside a given period and between periods. As a result, you can experience a month with a lot of clots and a heavy flow followed by one with none and a moderate flow. Variation is very normal, and you can attribute these variations to your nutrition and way of life.
It should be noted that the body naturally creates anticoagulants, or blood thinning chemicals, to aid in the free passage of blood and endometrial fragments to the cervix and eventually outside the body. This process can be impacted by stress and lifestyle choices like starting or quitting an exercise regimen. However, fibroids are more frequently to blame when blood clots occur frequently during each period.