The endometrium — the lining of the uterus — has a valuable purpose: It gives a fetus a healthy place to grow. When that kind of tissue grows outside the uterus, though, it causes problems. Those problems can be extremely painful and threatening to fertility, and it’s important to diagnose and treat endometriosis promptly.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue much like the endometrium grows in places other than the inside of the uterus — most often the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or tissue lining the pelvis. Like regular endometrial tissue, endometriosis tissue grows and breaks down with the menstrual cycle. But while endometrial tissue can safely exit the body, this unwanted tissue is trapped, where it can cause serious damage. It can cause painful cysts, irritation, scars, and adhesions that make the pelvic tissues and organs stick to each other.
Endometriosis can also affect fertility — between one-third and one-half of women with endometriosis have trouble getting pregnant. But that doesn’t mean a person with endometriosis will never have a successful pregnancy. In fact, doctors sometimes recommend that patients with endometriosis have children sooner rather than later, since the condition can get worse over time.
It’s not entirely clear what causes endometriosis. Most theories link it to your hormones and menstrual cycle, and doctors have identified certain risk factors. You may be at higher risk for endometriosis if you have:
The main, most common (although not universal) symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. Although the pain usually comes along with your period, it may be far worse than any normal menstrual pain you’ve experienced. It might start earlier and last longer than your period and may come with lower back and abdominal pain.
Other symptoms could include:
Endometriosis usually develops several years after the start of menstruation and may go away completely after menopause (unless you take estrogen). The symptoms can improve, temporarily, during pregnancy.
To diagnose endometriosis, your doctor will talk with you to understand your symptoms and where and when you’re feeling pain. Then they’ll do a physical exam using one (or more) of several methods.
Treatment for endometriosis can involve medication, surgery, or both. Your doctor will recommend treatment based on your symptoms, the results of your exam, and whether or not you plan to get pregnant in the future.
Medication options include:
Surgical options include:
If you’re hoping to get pregnant, of course, your doctor will take that into consideration as they develop a treatment plan. Your plan might involve fertility treatments to help you conceive if your endometriosis is preventing it.
Endometriosis is painful, and it can be a scary diagnosis. But it’s treatable, and it doesn’t mean your hopes for a family are over. Alabama Fertility Specialists wants to help you start or grow your family. Contact us to learn more about conditions like endometriosis and the options we offer to give you the fertility care you need.
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