PCOS is a common condition that can have a significant impact on a woman's health and fertility. It...
Endometriosis is a common and often debilitating disease that affects many women. It is important to recognize the symptoms, seek a proper diagnosis, and explore treatment options with your healthcare provider.
Whether it be managing symptoms with medications, considering surgical intervention, or discussing fertility concerns, there are resources available to support you on your journey with endometriosis.
What is endometriosis?
The endometrium is the tissue that lines the wall of the uterus. Endometriosis is a disease that occurs when endometrial tissue is located somewhere outside of the uterine cavity. This typically occurs in the pelvis, but can also occur in other locations, including the bowel, diaphragm, and lining of the lungs. Endometriosis is common and peaks in women between the ages of 25–35 years old.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Symptoms can range from mild to severely debilitating and often include painful and heavy periods, pain during intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. If the endometrial tissue exists outside of the pelvis, other symptoms may be present depending on the location.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
The only way to diagnose endometriosis definitively is with surgery and a biopsy of the area of endometriosis. In many cases, a doctor may make a “presumptive” diagnosis by using a combination of symptoms, physical exam, and imaging findings.
How is endometriosis treated?
The treatment of endometriosis varies depending on many factors including the severity of symptoms, extent and distribution of endometriosis, and age/risk factors of the patient. The first line of therapy is often NSAIDs and continuous hormonal contraceptives. If this is ineffective, your doctor may discuss a medication called a GNrH analog, or possible surgery to remove the areas of endometriosis.
Your primary care doctor and your gynecologist can talk to you about your symptoms and the workup endometriosis. If this condition is affecting your fertility and you desire pregnancy, they may refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist for fertility management.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us anytime via your Summus Dashboard at www.summusglobal.com/dashboard.
