Medically reviewed by: Melissa A. Delgado, MD, FACOG
Melissa A. Delgado, MD, FACOG is the founder and owner of The Chronic Pelvic Pain Center of Northern Virginia. Dr. Delgado is an experienced, board-certified OB/GYN and has spent the past 10 years dedicating her time to understanding complex and persistent pelvic pain.
Endometriosis is a relatively common condition that affects many women of reproductive age.
In some women, the growth of endometrial-like tissue (which usually only occurs inside the uterus) can happen outside the uterus. This irregular endometrial tissue can attach to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other organs, causing pain, inflammation, and other complications.
However, not all cases of endometriosis present with the typical symptoms of pelvic pain, like heavy periods and painful intercourse. In some cases, endometriosis can be silent, meaning that it doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms (“noticeable” being the key word here).
Silent endometriosis is a hard-to-diagnose type of endometriosis that affects women without causing any obvious symptoms. It is often diagnosed incidentally during an unrelated medical procedure, such as a laparoscopy or ultrasound.
But despite its lack of noticeable symptoms, silent endometriosis can still cause damage to the reproductive system and affect a woman's overall health and well-being.
Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for silent endometriosis.
Understanding Silent Endometriosis and Its Causes
The exact causes of endometriosis are not totally understood, but many researchers believe it’s the result of a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
The same factors that contribute to endometriosis can also cause silent endometriosis. However, silent endometriosis is thought to be less common than regular (or symptomatic) endometriosis. These factors may include:
Retrograde menstruation: When menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity, it can cause endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus.
Hormonal imbalances: Endometriosis has often been linked to hormonal imbalances, particularly excess estrogen, which can lead to outgrowths of endometrial tissue.
Genetic predispositions: Endometriosis is more common in women with a family history of the condition, suggesting some have a genetic predisposition for the condition.
Immune dysfunction: Some researchers believe endometriosis may be caused by some immune dysfunction, which allows endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus.
Uncommon symptoms of silent endometriosis
Silent endometriosis does not typically cause any noticeable symptoms. However, in some cases, women with silent endometriosis can experience mild symptoms that are often overlooked and/or attributed to other conditions.
Some of the more uncommon symptoms of silent endometriosis include:
Digestive problems: Women with silent endometriosis may suffer from digestive issues, including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or general abdominal pain. These symptoms are often mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other gastrointestinal disorders.
Fatigue: Chronic fatigue is a common symptom of many chronic conditions, including endometriosis. Women with silent endometriosis may experience fatigue without any other obvious symptoms.
Infertility: Women with silent endometriosis may struggle with infertility due to the damage that endometrial tissue can cause to the reproductive system. Infertility is often the first sign of silent endometriosis.
Diagnosis of Silent Endometriosis
Silent endometriosis is often diagnosed incidentally during an unrelated medical procedure, such as a laparoscopy or ultrasound.
In some cases, women with silent endometriosis may undergo fertility testing, which can reveal the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
If endometriosis is suspected, your doctor may perform a pelvic exam to check for any abnormalities or order an imaging test, such as an ultrasound or MRI.
However, these tests may not be able to detect silent endometriosis, as there may be no visible signs of the condition.
The only way to definitively diagnose silent endometriosis is through a laparoscopy, which is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the doctor to examine the pelvic organs and check for the presence of endometrial tissue.
Treatment Options for Silent Endometriosis
There is no cure for symptomatic endometriosis or silent endometriosis, but there are several treatment options. The goal of any treatment is to help manage symptoms, prevent further damage to the reproductive system, preserve fertility, and improve quality of life.
Treatment options for silent endometriosis include:
OTC pain medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help manage mild to moderate pain associated with silent endometriosis.
Conventional management: Standard hormonal therapies, like birth control pills, can help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce the growth of endometrial tissue.
Minimally invasive surgery: In severe cases of silent endometriosis, some form of surgery may be necessary to remove outgrowths of endometrial tissue and prevent further damage to the reproductive system. Robotic surgery, in particular, can be very effective.
Coping with the emotional impact of silent endometriosis
It can be hard enough to adjust to life with symptomatic endometriosis, which presents earlier and is much easier to diagnose.
Coping with silent endometriosis is often more difficult, especially because it is usually diagnosed much later, which makes treatment more difficult.
Learning that you have silent endometriosis, and may have had it for some time, can have a profound emotional impact on women, even if it doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms.
Women with silent endometriosis may struggle with feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and depression, as well as the daily stress of not knowing if or when the condition will progress.
That’s why it's so important for women with silent endometriosis to take care of their mental health and seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional if needed.
Support groups can also be a helpful resource for women with endometriosis, as they provide a safe space to share experiences and connect with others who understand what they are going through:
Endometriosis Association: This nonprofit offers a variety of resources for women living with endometriosis, including a helpline, support groups, and education.
EndoFound: They offer a range of resources, including support groups, educational webinars, and a national patient registry.
MyEndometriosisTeam: This online community connects women living with endometriosis who share their experiences, ask questions, and find answers.
Lifestyle changes for managing endometriosis symptoms
In addition to medical treatments, there are several lifestyle changes that can help manage the symptoms of silent endometriosis. These include:
Different diet: Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce inflammation and support overall health.
Regular exercise: Exercising just a few minutes a day can help you significantly manage pain and reduce stress, which can make endometriosis symptoms worse.
Stress management: Women with silent endometriosis should consider healthy ways to manage stress, like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
Don't Stay Silent About Silent Endometriosis
By raising awareness about silent endometriosis, we want to ensure that women with endometriosis receive timely, effective care that will help manage the condition and preserve their fertility and quality of life.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of symptomatic or silent endometriosis, it’s important that you seek specialized care.
Dr. Melissa Delgado of The Chronic Pelvic Pain Center has dedicated the past 10 years to diagnosing and treating endometriosis, as well as its co-occurring symptoms and conditions. Her expert approach combines traditional treatments with holistic therapies to provide lasting relief from endo symptoms.
Request your appointment today and start your journey toward endo healing.