Endometriosis

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a medical condition that causes the endometrium --  the tissue that usually only lines the inside of the uterus -- to grow in other areas, such as your fallopian tubes, ovaries, pelvic tissue, bowels, or bladder.

Endometrial tissue thickens and bleeds during menstrual cycles, whether the tissue is within the uterus or not. Blood becomes trapped if it’s outside the uterus, causing irritation, scarring, adhesions, ovarian cysts, or organs to stick together.

It’s estimated that more than 11% of US women ages 15 to 44 may have endometriosis.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

If you have endometriosis, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Pelvic pain, often associated with menstrual cycles
• Menstrual pain that increases over time
• Pelvic pain and cramping
• Abdominal and lower back pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Excessive bleeding
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain with urination or bowel movements
• Infertility
• Nausea, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or fatigue during periods

You may not have any symptoms at all, other than difficulty getting pregnant. Ovarian cancer occurs at higher rates in women with endometriosis.

What are the risk factors for endometriosis?

The exact cause of endometriosis is unclear, but various factors put you at risk for developing it:

• Beginning menstruation at an early age
• Never having children
• Going through menopause later in life
• Short menstrual cycles
• Drinking alcohol
• A low body mass index
• Family history of endometriosis
• Higher levels of estrogen in your body
• Certain medical conditions, such as uterine abnormalities

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Dr. Martinez diagnoses endometriosis using various methods. He completes a pelvic exam to feel for lumps and may order an ultrasound to check for cysts associated with endometriosis.

What is the treatment for endometriosis?

Dr. Martinez reviews endometriosis treatment options with you to determine which is best for your individual needs. Possible treatment options include:

• Hormone birth control pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs) if you’re not trying to get pregnant
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist medications
• Pain relief medications
• Surgery to remove endometriosis patches
• Infertility treatment if you’re having difficulty getting pregnant
• Hysterectomy for severe endometriosis cases in women not planning to become pregnant

Call Femhealth Group to learn more about endometriosis treatment options, or book an appointment online.