Endometriosis

What is endometriosis?

The endometrium is a collection of cells that line your uterus and serve as the place for implantation of a fertilized egg. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the endometrium sheds from your body during your monthly period.

If you have endometriosis, the endometrium isn’t confined to your womb. The tissue grows outside of your uterus, so it ends up on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, rectum, and even in other organs.

This misplaced endometrial tissue still acts like it’s in the womb, however, and bleeds and sheds monthly. But, the trapped tissue doesn’t have an easy way to exit the body, which causes pain and inflammation.

When should I suspect I have endometriosis?

Endometriosis doesn’t always cause unusual symptoms. Women with the condition can experience moderate or severe pelvic pain that becomes worse during their periods.

You may also notice:

• Heavy bleeding during or between periods
• Infertility
• Pain during sex, urination, or bowel movements
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fatigue
• Bloating or nausea

These symptoms are associated with endometriosis, but can also have other causes. If you experience any of these issues, schedule an appointment at Yorktown Health for a thorough evaluation. 

How is endometriosis treated?

Endometriosis cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed. Pain medications and hormonal interventions can reduce bleeding and help with pelvic pain. However, these interventions aren’t always the best long-term solutions for painful endometriosis.

If you have endometriosis and you’re trying to get pregnant, your fertility can usually be restored. For women who still want to get pregnant in the future, conservative, laparoscopic surgery can remove endometrial tissue from reproductive organs so you can successfully conceive. 

In some severe cases, however, a hysterectomy is the only solution that helps women completely find relief.

Can endometrial ablation treat endometriosis?

At Yorktown Health, the team offers an alternative to chronic medication and hysterectomy to women who are suffering from heavy periods due to endometriosis and some other conditions.

Endometrial ablation, a procedure that destroys the uterine lining, can resolve much of your pelvic pain and excessive menstrual bleeding. It’s a simple in-office procedure that requires very little downtime.

You should be sure you’ve completed your family before undergoing endometrial ablation, though. Pregnancy is not recommended after the procedure.

If you’re suffering from endometriosis, schedule an appointment at Yorktown Health. Call today or use the online tool to schedule.