endometriosis It’s often thought of as a condition that begins and ends in the pelvis, but what happens when the first warning signs appear in a much more unexpected place, like the dentist’s chair?
Endometriosis is an understudied and complex disease that affects the whole body. disease, And science is only just beginning to fully understand where and how it manifests. In rare but documented cases, endometrial tissue has even been found in the mouth, highlighting how widespread this condition can be and why paying attention to seemingly unrelated symptoms is more important than we think.
Dr. Karan Rajan is a UK-based surgeon and popular health content creator. oral health and endometriosis, it turns out the two may be more closely related than previously thought. In an Instagram video shared on January 24, the surgeon explains that endometriosis is a systemic chronic disease. inflammatory It shows that this disease is not limited to the pelvis, but can appear in surprising and often overlooked areas of the body.
Endometriosis is a systemic disease
Dr. Rajan says your dental hygienist may first suspect endometriosis because endometriosis is not just a disease. pelvis Although it is a disease, it is a “systemic chronic inflammatory condition” and your mouth may be where the first warning signs appear. In some cases, endometrioid tissue is found in the oral cavity and may manifest as other conditions such as periodontal disease.
“There have been rare case reports of actual endometrial tissue appearing in the oral cavity. But there is something interesting and a little scary to know. Large observational and cohort studies have found that people with endometriosis are more likely to develop periodontal disease. There is an increase in bleeding gums and inflammation around the teeth. So if your gums are bleeding angrily and your dental hygienist is concerned, it may not just be your dental hygiene, it may be another flare-up of your systemic disease, ”explains the surgeon. situation. ”
Endometriosis and microbiome changes
Dr. Rajan emphasizes that endometriosis is increasingly associated with changes in the microbiome, not only in the pelvis, but also in the gut and other mucosal sites. “Multiple studies have revealed gut microbiome imbalances, altered diversity, different bacterial patterns, and associations with higher estrogen and inflammation in peas. And the mouth and intestines are connected by more than just the food tube. Oral bacteria can seed the gut. Systemic inflammation from peas can change how tissues heal.”
visceral axis
Dr. Rajan said the condition is systemic and involves hormones, the immune system, microbiome It is not limited to common symptoms such as pelvic pain or menstrual problems, but extends to lesser-recognized issues such as oral and dental health concerns, causing axis imbalances in the body’s organs that affect the entire body.
he elaborates. “Hormones, the immune system, and the microbiome form this messy intra-organ axis that we are only just beginning to map out. Add in other internally related issues such as dry mouth, gum sensitivity, and increased risk of oral discomfort, and suddenly the dental chair doesn’t seem too far from the gynecological clinic. Beyond common symptoms such as pelvic pain, menorrhagia, and bloating, there are a range of symptoms that can be small pieces of a larger puzzle.”
The surgeon emphasizes that endometriosis remains a significantly under-researched area of medicine, and obscure links, such as the relationship between endometriosis and oral health, remain largely unknown and poorly understood. “It may be that your mouth doesn’t just need flossing; it may be a sign that other parts of your body need serious attention, too,” he concludes.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified or endorses this claim.