Endometriosis & Pregnancy - Background

Endometriosis is a condition where tissues normally lining a woman’s uterus grow or attach to organs located outside. During menstruation, the lining of the uterus will shed as it normally does, but the portion that grows outside of the uterus stays. Throughout the ovulation to menstruation phase, the uterual tissue becomes constantly provoked. It can get torn, break down and bleed. This is likely to cause scar tissue formation and some discomfort.

There are over 7 million reported cases of endometriosis among females in the US, according to the Endometriosis Research Center. It has been found to be the key causes of chronic pain in the pelvis, gynecologic surgeries, and infertility.

Why Does Endometriosis Happen?

At present, the cause behind the occurrence of endometriosis is unknown, although experts have proposed several possible explanations. Recent studies point that the condition may be genetic.

Symptoms

Usual signs and symptoms of endometriosis include irregular or labored breathing, pain during menstruation, chronic pelvic pain, lower back pain and fatigue. Women may also experience pain during sexual intercourse and ovulation, painful bowel movements and gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea and constipation. In severe cases, endometriosis can lead to infertility.

Diagnosis

The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other diagnostic means such as MRIs, CAT scans or ultrasound are normally inconclusive. A doctor needs to study symptoms of the patient and her medical history. In order to diagnose the problem, the doctor may opt to conduct a laparotomy or a laparoscopy.

Cure for Endometriosis?

Endometriosis has no cure yet, but physicians recommend several treatment methods to help a patient manage her symptoms.

Treatment

Methods to manage endometriosis include:

Pain Medication

Medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin, which are available over-the-counter, are used to decrease discomfort and pain. If that doesn’t work, prescription drugs may be recommended.

Hormonal Drug Therapy

Hormone drugs can be used to block a patient’s ovulation. The objective would be to prevent further provocation of the lesions and to shield onself against the onset of related symptoms. These medications include oral contraceptives, GnRH agonists and progesterone drugs. Hormone therapy is normally recommended for those who have been through surgery.

Surgery

Doctors usually determine the diagnosis following conservative surgeries like a laparotomy or laparoscopy and often pass through these procedures to extract abnormal growths. If it succeeds, it will help eliminate pain and increase the chances of pregnancy.

If conservative surgery is not effective, doctors may recommend hysterectomy and/or other, more invasive, surgical methods.

Alternative/Natural Therapy

A lot of patients prefer alternative or natural treatments against surgical procedures and medications. Common alternative treatments would include acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and nutritional programs such as natural herbs for fertility. There exists a considerable amount of studies that support the effectiveness of these natural treatments to do no harm and to awaken the body’s inherent defense mechanisms and healing activity.