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Endometriosis & Pregnancy - Background
Endometriosis is a female health condition that occurs when the uterine tissues either grow or attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus. During menstruation, the uterual lining is shed as per normal, but the portion growing outside the uterus remains. Throughout the ovulation to menstruation phase, the uterual tissue becomes constantly provoked. It could get torn, disintegrate and cause bleeding. 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 is a key cause of gynecologic surgeries, chronic pelvin discomfort, and infertility.
What Causes Endometriosis?
Presently, the cause of endometriosis remains unknown, but experts have suggested a few possible reasons. 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 can also expect to feel some pain while ovulating or having sexual intercourse, painful bowel movements, and GI tract conditions like diarrhea, constipation, or bloating. In severe cases, endometriosis can lead to infertility.
Diagnosis
The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other diagnostic exams like MRIs, ultrasound, or CAT scans are usually inconclusive. A doctor will need to look into the patient’s symptoms, as well as her medical history. In an attempt to diagnose the illness, the doctor has the option to conduct a laparoscopic or a laparotomy 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. It this does not work, one may need to take prescription drugs.
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 performed particularly on patients who have come from 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 it succeeds, it will help eliminate pain and increase the chances of pregnancy.
If traditional surgery does not prove to be effective, doctors can opt to perform a hysterectomy or other more invasive procedures.
Alternative/Natural Therapy
Many patients prefer natural or alternative therapies to medications and surgery. Common alternative treatments would include acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and nutritional programs such as natural herbs for fertility. There is a large amount of literature that supports the use of natural treatments as a wellness tool that can also stimulate the body’s innate defense system and healing action.
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