Ibuprofen may be taken when pregnant, but this is only if your Doctor or midwife considers it to be necessary  and you are in the first thirty weeks of your pregnancy.

As a rule of thumb, you should try and avoid taking medicines during  pregnancy, especially during the first 3  months of pregnancy. Mild complaints such as headaches, and minor colds do not warrent medication and should be avoided.

If treatment with ibuprofen is considered to be esseential at this sage in your pregnancy, then ensure that you take recommended dose, unless you are  advised otherwise by your doctor, s it is best that ibuprofen is taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

In certain circumstances – ibuprofen may be precribed after the first thirty weeks of pregnancy but this is only determined and recommended under the advice of a health professional, and you and your unborn baby will require careful monioring.

Call your midwife or doctor if you feel that you need to take Ibuprofen, or if your enquiry is out of hours, you can call NHS direct on 0845 4647.

Endometriosis is considered to be sensitive to oestrogen, and therefore women who have had more menstrual cycles without a period of absence from pregnancy – will have suffered more exposure to female hormones. Endometriosis is far common in older childless women. It causes infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes – preventing them from picking up an egg at the point of ovulation. Also – the ovaries may become scarred, which can result in an egg being trapped in scar tissue.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where the lining of the womb (endometrium) implants and grows outside the womb. Endometrial implants can emerge within the fallopian tubes, pelvis, bladder, ovaries and bowel. (see illustration below). Rarely – they have been found to appear in the heart, lung, armpit and knee. Wherever the endometrium grows – the womb lining still reacts to the natural hormone cycle and therefore bleeds every time a period commences. Endometriosis causes pain as the blood has no outlet and therefore becomes trapped in the tissue, causing inflammation, as well as cysts and scar tissue.

What are the common symptoms of Endometriosis?

• Painful periods
• Heavy/Irregular periods
• Pain during Intercourse
• Back Pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea, bloating, & constipation
• Infertility