Diving And Endometriosis

A female health disorder that occurs when cells that normally grow in the lining of the uterus grow in other areas of the body, Endometriosis is a relatively common problem that can be a real pain to live with.  Besides cramping and severe lower abdominal pain, infertility problems, and irregular bleeding, it can cause some issues with diving.  

Endometriosis: Cause and Effect

Each month, when a woman’s ovaries produce hormones associated with fertility, the uterus becomes swollen as it prepares for the possibility of pregnancy.  If no pregnancy occurs, then the body sheds the extra cells from the endometrium (uterine lining), which are eliminated during menses.  If some of those cells implant and grow outside the uterus, endometriosis results.  

Endometrial implants can happen in many places; tissue is commonly implanted on the ovaries, bladder, and bowel, as well as along the lining of the pelvic floor and in other areas of the body as well.  These cellular invaders respond to hormones, swelling and sometimes bleeding along with the uterus each time a menstrual cycle occurs.   Instead of being flushed out, they continue to grow larger and larger.  

The cause of the disease is unknown, but endometriosis is a very common problem that often runs in families.   It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 35.  Symptoms include painful periods, pain in the lower abdomen both before and during menstruation, severe cramping that can begin as early as two weeks prior to menstruation and last all the way through the cycle, and other pains associated with menses.  In some rare cases, there are no symptoms and no pain.   

Diagnosis is usually confirmed following pelvic examination, transvaginal ultrasounds, and pelvic laparoscopy; treatments vary depending on a number of factors including the severity of symptoms, the age of the sufferer, and whether the person affected desires children in the future.  Over the counter pain relievers, exercise and relaxation, hormone therapy, and surgery are all treatment options; sometimes, simply using birth control to create a false pregnancy-like state called pseudopregancy can help to relieve all symptoms.   In the most severe cases, a hysterectomy, as well as ovary removal is prescribed.

Issues With Diving 

If you are suffering from a mild to moderate case of endometriosis, you might not have any problems while diving, and so long as pain and pressure are not bothering you, then you can continue diving as you normally do.  

If, on the other hand, you are experiencing steady or severe pain and cramping, diving could make your symptoms much more painful.  In some rare cases, large cysts called endometriomas may break open and rupture, necessitating medical treatment; these cysts can rupture at any time but the increased pressure from diving can raise that risk.

If you are like many women who suffer from endometriosis, you may notice that you bleed very heavily during your cycle, and that can cause problems with diving, too.  

It is best to stay out of the water if you are experiencing pain or other adverse effects associated with endometriosis, but when the condition is not causing problems, diving is something you can enjoy on a regular basis.  With your doctor’s help, you can manage or eliminate your symptoms, making diving and other activities more enjoyable.