Surgery

Endometriosis is diagnosed by: Physical examination Laparoscopy Transvaginal ultrasound Other tests Physical Examination It’s not unusual for a pelvic examination to reveal no sign of possible endometriosis. In some cases, however, there are some signs: Occasionally during a pelvic exam, a physician may feel a cyst on an ovary that is caused by endometriosis. A […]

In some women, endometriosis causes no symptoms or mild symptoms and does not need to be treated at all. However, untreated endometriosis can continue to worsen, so these women should continue to have regular examinations to monitor the condition. If endometriosis is causing symptoms or is interfering with a woman’s ability to become pregnant, several

For women with mild to moderate symptoms, medication may be the best treatment option. A course of medication is also sometimes prescribed along with conservative surgery. Medications to treat endometriosis include: Pain relievers Hormonal treatments Oral contraceptives Progesterone Danazol GnRH agonists Pain Relievers Over-the-counter pain relievers may include aspirin, acetaminophen (such as Tylenol), ibuprofen (such

Surgery may be considered for women with severe pain whose symptoms are not relieved with medication. For these women, the treatment can be tailored depending on whether they want to be able to have children. Conservative surgery can help preserve a woman’s ability to become pregnant. Conservative surgical procedures include: Laparoscopy Laparotomy Laser surgery Electrocautery

Hysterectomy, the most radical treatment for endometriosis, involves surgically removing the uterus, both ovaries and both fallopian tubes, along with as many areas as possible of misplaced endometrial tissue. A hysterectomy can be performed by making a cut (incision) in your abdomen, which exposes the organs and tissues that need to be removed. This is

It’s estimated that 40 to 50 percent of infertile women may have endometriosis. Endometriosis may be related to infertility in several ways: Women who experience deep pain during intercourse may choose to have intercourse less often, reducing the likelihood of becoming pregnant. Scar tissue from endometriosis can form adhesions around the ovary and restrict the

There are certain steps that a woman can take to either help prevent endometriosis or keep it from becoming worse: A woman with abdominal pain, especially if it occurs just before the start of her period, should see a physician. Early diagnosis offers the best chance of effective treatment. Women who have a problem with

Here are some frequently asked questions related to endometriosis. Q: I have endometriosis. Could my daughters inherit it? A: Endometriosis does appear to run in families, and your daughters might inherit the tendency to develop it. This would put them at higher-than-average risk for the disorder. Q: How can you tell the difference between normal menstrual

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disorder in which the type of tissue with lines the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and scarring that can lead to pain and/or infertility. Endometriosis is found most commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the outside of the uterus.

Here are definitions of medical terms related to endometriosis. Adhesions: Web-like tissue that develops from endometriosis and may bind pelvic organs together. CA-125 blood test: A test to measure a certain protein in the blood and a tumor marker for ovarian cancer; it often is elevated when certain conditions, including endometriosis, are present. Cervix: The neck of the

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on endometriosis. Endometriosis Association  Phone: 414-355-2200  Phone: 414-355-6065 http://www.endometriosisassn.org/ Resolve  Phone: 617-623-0744 Online: http://www.resolve.org. US National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  Phone: 202-638-5577 Online: http://www.acog.com