Endometriosis is a common health problem for women affecting more than 6 ½ million women in the United States, according to the Endometriosis Foundation of America. The Women’s Health Specialists of Dallas team is very experienced in diagnosing and treating endometriosis and offers effective treatments and testing methods, including transvaginal ultrasounds, pelvic laparoscopies, and pelvic exams. With two locations in Dallas and Rockwall, Texas, our board-certified OB/GYN physicians are here to help.
Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium, the tissue lining your uterus, begins to grow outside the uterus.
This uterine tissue can grow on the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and other surrounding pelvic organs. Less commonly, the tissue can grow in the bladder, intestine, bowel, appendix, or rectum. In rare cases, it is present outside of the abdominal cavity in the brain or lungs.
Endometriosis can also develop in scars left from surgery on pelvic organs, but it most commonly affects women in the prime of their child-bearing years, between the ages of 25 and 35.
Often, doctors misdiagnose the condition because symptoms are similar to other conditions. Some women might not even receive a diagnosis for many years.
It is not clear to researchers yet why endometriosis causes infertility; however, some studies suggest that as the disease progresses endometrial lesions block the fallopian tubes and inhibit ovulatory functioning. Other studies suggest that endometriosis may alter the uterus in a way that disrupts embryo implantation, but further research is needed to understand this more clearly.
not aware of their infertility or endometriosis until they try to become pregnant.
When endometriosis growths continue to expand, they can cause problems, such as
There are multiple theories on what causes endometriosis including:
Sampson’s Theory
Sampson’s Theory involves retrograde menstruation or the backward flow of menstruation. However, retrograde menstruation occurs in 90% of women, and only 10% of women develop endometriosis.
Meyer’s Theory
Meyer’s Theory shows that endometriosis is likely present during fetal development, and is activated during puberty when estrogen levels increase.
Inflammation
Many experts point to the immune system and inflammation as a cause of endometriosis.
Family History
Women with a family history of the condition are also much more likely to develop endometriosis.
Endometriosis cannot be cured, but there are treatment options available to alleviate pain and remove lesions.
Endometriosis treatments depend on the severity of the condition and your symptoms, your age, and whether or not you want children. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, pain medications, including over-the-counter medications as well as prescription medications; hormone therapy; or surgical treatment.
Hormone therapy comes in the form of a pill, a shot or injection, or a nasal spray. Therapy aims to treat endometriosis-associated pain. Treatments stop the ovaries from producing hormones, including estrogen, and usually prevent ovulation. Hormone therapy is used in some cases to balance and regulate the hormones that can worsen endometriosis.
If you are not trying to get pregnant, hormonal birth control is a good option for you. Some options may include
If you are trying to get pregnant, your doctor may prescribe
Surgical treatment is an option for women who have severe symptoms, have not had significant relief from hormone therapy, or have fertility problems.
Surgical treatments can provide significant pain relief from endometriosis, although it can be short-term, with endometriosis growths and pain returning over time.
Because some surgical procedures cannot be reversed and others can affect a woman’s fertility, It is important to have a thorough discussion about surgical treatment options with your health care provider. Some of your options may include:
You can’t prevent endometriosis, but you can manage your symptoms or reduce your chances of developing it by lowering the levels of the hormone estrogen in your body. Estrogen is known to thicken the lining of your uterus during your menstrual cycle.
To keep lower estrogen levels in your body, you can
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