Endometriosis
Endometriosis specialist:
Center for Advanced Gyn & Urogynecology provides high quality patient care and is considered one of the best practices for endometriosis treatment.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where a tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus in other areas of the body. During a normal menstrual cycle, ovaries make chemicals called hormones, which signal the lining of the uterus to thicken. This lining is called the endometrium. During the menstrual cycle endometrium builds up to prepare to receive a fertilized egg. If the egg isn’t fertilized, the uterus sheds the lining through the vagina. This monthly bleeding is called the menstrual period.
How does endometriosis cause a problem?
In endometriosis, the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This misplaced tissue responds to the uterus just the same way as if it was inside the uterus. The tissue continues to thicken and it then sheds and bleeds with every menstrual cycle. However, the blood and the tissue that is shed outside the uterus has no specific way to leave the body. This trapped endometrial flow thus irritates the surrounding area causing inflammation and pain.
Not only this, bands of scar tissue may also form outside the uterus sticking one organ to another or causing the fallopian tubes to close. This can affect fertility by affecting a woman’s ability to become pregnant or can cause pain.
Endometriosis can also form endometriomas in the body which are also known as chocolate cysts. These cysts are fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that can affect fertility. Endometriosis may also result in abnormal bleeding. The most common site for endometriosis are the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outside of the uterus, the supporting structure outside the uterus and the lining of the pelvis called the peritoneum. Other sites include bladder, rectum, and intestines.
What are the symptoms?
- Chronic usually worsening central or pelvic pain
- Pain before or during the periods
- Pain during intercourse felt deep within the pelvis
- Painful urination during the periods
- Painful bowel movements during the period
- Abnormal bleeding
- Diarrhoea, constipation or nausea
- Infertility; Difficulty in getting pregnant
How is Endometriosis treated?
Pain management medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, provide relief from pain. Hormone pills also prevent monthly endometrial build-up and bleeding.
Depending upon patient symptoms of pain, difficulty getting pregnant, she may need surgical treatment of Endometriosis. This may be in the form of removal of Endometriosis lesions, removal of adhesions and scar tissue, removal of endometriosis cysts or chocolate cysts, etc. Some severe cases of endometriosis may need uterus and ovaries to be removed when childbearing is complete. Every woman’s treatment needs to be individualized.
Our practice also specializes in providing patients conservative options for pain relief with endometriosis.