I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease about 20 years ago. About three years ago, I was also diagnosed with endometriosis. I'm wondering if there is any connection between the two conditions?

V.

Crohn's disease is a chronic, inflammatory disease affecting the small and large intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain, weight loss, fever and diarrhea, sometimes with rectal bleeding. Crohn's most often appears in women who are in their teens and 20s.

The pain caused by Crohn's may be mistaken for pain associated with certain gynecologic disorders. One such disorder, endometriosis, is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue (the inner lining of the uterus) in abnormal locations, such as the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the pelvic cavity or even the small or large intestine. Often, the pain caused by endometriosis varies with the menstrual cycle.

There is no known link between Crohn's and endometriosis. However, the two conditions share certain key features. Both typically affect young women. Also, abdominal or pelvic pain is a major component of each disorder. In fact, in the case of endometriosis involving the intestine, the symptoms of endometriosis may be indistinguishable from Crohn's. Also, both of these diseases potentially can reduce a woman's fertility.

Because of these similarities, both Crohn's and endometriosis may be considered in the diagnostic work-up of a woman troubled by abdominal pain or infertility. If the woman's symptoms are caused by Crohn's, a colonoscopy will usually uncover evidence of swelling and inflammation of the colon lining, as well as scarring and bleeding. In contrast, endometriosis does not affect the lining of the colon.