Endometriosis Specialist

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a common women’s health issue in which the endometrial tissue that is normally only in your uterine cavity grows in other areas. Your body breaks the endometrium down every month, and you flush it out during menstruation, so it doesn’t accumulate and cause problems. 

But, endometrial tissue that grows outside the uterus doesn’t break down in the same way. It stays in place, often leading to cysts and thick scar tissue called adhesions. The surrounding tissue can grow irritated, and the adhesions may even cause pelvic organs to stick together. 

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Endometriosis can cause several disruptive issues, including:

Pelvic pain

Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of chronic pelvic pain. Generally, endometriosis pain happens before and during menstrual periods. You may also experience pain during sex, urination, and bowel movements. 

Heavy bleeding

Many women with endometriosis have very heavy periods or bleeding in-between periods. If you have heavy periods, you’re at risk for anemia. 

Infertility

Endometriosis can cause difficulty conceiving a baby. In fact, many women who don't experience pain or heavy bleeding find out that they have endometriosis only after they seek help for infertility. 

The pain level of symptoms isn’t necessarily a direct reflection of the severity of your endometriosis. For example, mild endometriosis can cause crippling pain, while severe endometriosis may cause no pain. 

How do you diagnose endometriosis?

You have a full symptom review, medical history review, and pelvic exam at Ganesh OBGYN. Although the information can determine a preliminary diagnosis, the only way to verify endometriosis is a minimally invasive laparoscopy procedure. 

A laparoscopy shows your pelvic organs (and the adhesions or cysts) from the inside. Sometimes, laparoscopy includes a small amount of tissue removal (a biopsy) for lab testing. 

How is endometriosis treated?

Treatment typically involves medication, surgery, or a combination of the two. Some medications for endometriosis can include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), birth control pills, and hormone-controlling medications.

Surgery, like a minimally invasive laser procedure, can remove your endometrial growths to give you significant symptom relief. However, up to 80% of women experience endometriosis symptom recurrence within two years of surgery. Medication may delay the endometrial regrowth and extend the symptom relief. 

For severe, treatment-resistant endometriosis symptoms, a hysterectomy — a procedure to remove your uterus — may be the best option if you don't want to have children. For optimal long-term pain relief, you may also need oophorectomy — a procedure to remove your ovaries — at the same time. 

Call Ganesh OBGYN or book an appointment online for endometriosis help now.