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Endometriosis & Pregnancy - Background
Endometriosis is described as a condition that arises when the tissues that normally line the uterine walls attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus or grow. 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 aggravation causes the formation of scar tissue and produces discomfort.
In the United States, the Endometriosis Research Center reports that there are over 7 million cases of endometriosis among women. It has been found to be the key causes of chronic pain in the pelvis, gynecologic surgeries, and infertility.
What Causes Endometriosis?
At present, the cause behind the occurrence of endometriosis is unknown, although experts have proposed several possible explanations. Studies to date indicate that the condition may be hereditary.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of endometriosis would include, chronic pelvic pain, pain in the lower back, dysmenorrhea, irregalur or heavy breathing, and fatigue. Women can also expect to feel some discomfort while passing stools, some gastro intestinal problems like constipation and diarrhea, and even pain while ovulation or having sexual intercourse. In worse cases, endometriosis may result in infertility.
Diagnosis
The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Similar diagnostic tests like CAT scans, MRIs, or ultrasound do not usually bear conclusive results. A doctor will need to look into the patient’s symptoms, as well as her medical history. In trying to diagnose the disease, the doctor may use laparatomy or a laparoscopic procedure.
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
Conservative surgical procedures such as the laparotomy and laparoscopy are conducted by doctors to determine the diagnosis and to remove abnormal growths. If successful, this will eliminate pain and improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.
If a conservative surgical procedure is ineffective, doctors may suggest a hysterectomy or some other invasive surgical method.
Alternative/Natural Therapy
Quite a number of patients choose to go the alternative route of treatments instead of undergoing surgeries and taking medications. Some of the more popular alternative treatments include Chinese medicine, acupuncture and nutritional therapies such as fertility herbs. There is a significant amount of anecdotal evidence in support of these natural therapies which aim to “do no harm” while stimulating the body’s inherent defense and recovery mechanisms to heal itself.
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