AT WOMEN’S HEALTH DOMAIN, WE BELIEVE WOMEN SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE FREE OF PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT AND HAVE CONTROL OVER THEIR HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE. WE’LL WORK WITH YOU TO FIGURE OUT WHAT’S CAUSING YOUR PAIN AND DESIGN A TREATMENT PLAN THAT WORKS FOR YOU.
Endometriosis is the growth of tissue similar to that found in the uterus outside of the uterus. This tissue might grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, blader, vagina, or cervix. An estimated more than 10 percent of women have endometriosis, and it is most common among women in their 30s and 40s. It can be extremely painful.
The pain may differ for each person with endometriosis. It can cause very painful menstrual cramps, chronic lower-back and pelvic pain, pain during or after intercourse, intestinal pain, or pain while urinating or having bowel movements. Other endometriosis symptoms may include:
- Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods.
- Infertility or difficulty getting pregnant.
- Digestive problems, particularly during menstrual periods.
If you have symptoms of endometriosis, your physician may suggest different tests or procedures to confirm the diagnosis and guide a treatment plan. These might include:
- Pelvic exam.
- Ultrasound or MRI.
- Laparoscopy.
While there is no cure for endometriosis, there are treatments to alleviate the symptoms. Hormonal birth control is typically the first step in treatment, but works only as long as you take it and is not appropriate for women wanting to get pregnant. Another possible treatment is gonadotropic-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist to block the hormones responsible for ovulation the menstrual cycle. It temporarily causes menopause allowing the endometrial growth to slow. Once you stop taking it, your menstrual cycle returns, and it may be easier to get pregnant.
For women with severe symptoms, surgery may be required to remove endometriosis patches. After surgery, hormone treatment can be re-started for women who do not want to get pregnant.
At Women’s Health Domain, we believe women should be able to live free of physical discomfort and have control over their health and health care. We’ll work with you to figure out what’s causing your pain and design a treatment plan that works for you.
You can schedule an appointment any time online or call us during the week at 512-425-3825.