Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.
I’ve heard a lot about adhesions from other blogs and readers, but I never quite knew what they were or why they can contribute to infertility. My friends at Clear Passage are sharing some basic information adhesions and infertility today.
Adhesions and Infertility: What’s the Connection?
Many women we talk to have never heard of adhesions. They are often surprised to learn that, based on their medical history, they likely have adhesions — and that the adhesions may be causing their infertility. Adhesions can significantly impact a woman’s reproductive function and can cause other women’s health conditions, such as dyspareunia (intercourse pain) and chronic pelvic pain.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions our therapists get about adhesions.
Q: What are adhesions?
Adhesions are tiny bands of scar tissue that form in all of us.
- Post-operative adhesions are responsible for approximately 20% of infertility cases (Rajab et al., 2010)
- About 25% of women with chronic pelvic pain have adhesions (Howard, 1993)
- Adhesions form 55-100% of the time in patients who have had pelvic surgery (Liakakos et al., 2001)
Q: Why do adhesions form?
Adhesions form as part of the body’s natural healing process. The body creates adhesions in response to surgery, infection, trauma or radiation. During the body’s recovery following one of those events, scar tissue forms on and/or between organs, restricting movement or binding them together. The result is often pain and/or dysfunction.
Q: How do adhesions impact fertility?
Adhesions within the reproductive system can affect fertility in several ways.
- One or both fallopian tubes can be blocked by adhesions, preventing egg and sperm from joining;
- Adhesions can also form on the uterine wall, greatly reducing the chance of successful egg implantation and pregnancy;
- Adhesions can restrict blood flow to reproductive organs, affecting their function.
Q: How do I know if I have adhesions?
Adhesions generally cannot be seen on diagnostic tests such as MRI, CT scan or x-rays; this is the reason they are said to cause ‘invisible pain.’ However, there are symptoms and types of diagnosing techniques that can help identify adhesions.
The following are common symptoms of abdominal and pelvic adhesions:
- Pain with deep breathing
- Pain with intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Abdominal pain during stretching or exercising
- Excessively painful periods
- Digestive issues
Diagnosing and Treating Adhesions
Surgery is the only way for doctors to view adhesions since these internal scars do not show up on x-rays and other diagnostic tests. Laparoscopy is the procedure typically used in this case. It is an outpatient surgical procedure in which the doctor makes a tiny incision on the abdomen and inspects internal organs with a small camera. Adhesions will be visible as bands of scar tissue that are filmy or coarse, thick or thin.
Manual physical therapists who have received specialized training are able to palpate the body and locate adhesions. The therapist can detach and deform the adhesions, restoring female reproductive function and help women conceive naturally. This is an effective alternative to surgical removal of adhesions, which often causes more adhesions to form as the body heals from the procedure.
Have you had experience with adhesions? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
This is a sponsored post which means I received compensation in exchange for writing this post. This post is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for care by a licensed medical professional. Please read my Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer Page.
Images courtesy of Clear Passage
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