Endometriosis

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a common gynecological problem that happens when the membrane that normally lines the inside of your uterus, called endometrium, grows outside of the organ.

The disorder can cause the endometrium to form on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer surface of your uterus, or the tissues that line your pelvis. Displaced endometrium tissues are commonly known as implants.

Even when it occurs outside the uterus, endometrium still acts as it would normally: It thickens, breaks down, and bleeds through every menstrual cycle.

Because endometrium implants have no way to exit your body, they often lead to the formation of scar tissue, ovarian cysts, and other adhesions. Women with endometriosis may experience:

• Chronic pelvic pain, especially during menstruation
  
• Pelvic pain during sexual intercourse
  
• Heavy menstrual bleeding, or bleeding between cycles
  
• Painful bowel movements or pain during urination
  

What are the risks of endometriosis?

In addition to causing ongoing pelvic pain that can be incapacitating and hard to manage, endometriosis can lead to significant fertility problems. That’s because the condition causes chronic inflammation that can damage eggs and interfere with sperm mobility.

As many as half of all women with endometriosis have difficulty becoming pregnant, and approximately 40% of women who have been diagnosed with infertility have endometriosis.

Because the condition usually worsens over time, your physician at Aspire For Women Obstetrics and Gynecology may advise women with mild to moderate endometriosis to have children sooner rather than later.

Women with endometriosis also have a slightly higher than average risk of developing ovarian cancer.

How is endometriosis treated?

Although endometriosis can’t be cured, it can be managed effectively with the right approach. If your symptoms are limited to mild pelvic pain, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may be all you need to find complete relief.

Taking hormonal birth control can help keep the condition from worsening, provided you aren’t trying to become pregnant. Extended cycle or continuous cycle hormonal birth control, which are both available as a pill or an injection, can slow the growth of endometrial tissues and prevent new adhesions from forming. They also help reduce or eliminate pelvic pain and stop irregular uterine bleeding. 

For more severe cases, surgically removing displaced endometrial tissues may be the only viable option for pain relief and improved fertility. Because the problem usually redevelops over time, using hormonal medications after surgery can help delay its return.  

If you’ve been experiencing pelvic pain of any kind, call Aspire For Women Obstetrics and Gynecology today, or book an appointment online anytime.