What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis happens when your uterine lining grows outside of its normal place within the uterus. Endometrial growths can appear in and around your reproductive organs, including:
- Ovaries
- Fallopian tubes
- Outer uterus
- Ligaments connected to the uterus
- The area between the bladder and uterus
Unfortunately, endometriosis can affect women from puberty through menopause. In some cases, women may experience difficulty getting pregnant or infertility.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
In some cases, women with endometriosis do not experience any symptoms, but in most women, it causes several challenging issues, including:
- Severe menstrual cramps
- Very heavy menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual periods lasting longer than seven days
- Bleeding or spotting in-between menstruation
- Chronic low back pain
- Pain during sexual intercourse
How is endometriosis treated?
There are a variety of endometriosis treatments. Your specific treatment depends on endometriosis severity, whether you want to preserve your fertility, and other factors specific to you.
One common approach is progestin birth control, such as Depo-Provera® injections or the Nexplanon® implant. These types of birth control may stop your period, reduce endometrial growth, and ease your symptoms.
If you are experiencing infertility and trying to conceive with endometriosis, your provider may recommend ovary stimulating medications or refer you for other options like in-vitro fertilization.
One of the best ways to treat endometriosis is through minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon burns away endometrial growths that have developed within the abdominal cavity.
For some women, the pain of endometriosis becomes unbearable. If you have failed all other forms of medical and surgical treatment, the best treatment may be a hysterectomy. At Physicians and Surgeons for women, your provider will ask you about your goals of care and help determine the best way to manage your endometriosis.
Endometriosis is treatable. You do not have to live with chronic pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, painful sex, and other debilitating issues, reach out to Physicians and Surgeons for Women for an appointment.
