Endometriosis and Pregnancy - Background
Endometriosis is described as a condition that arises when the tissues that normally line the uterine walls attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus or grow. During menstruation, the uterual lining is shed as per normal, but the portion growing outside the uterus remains. During ovulation and menstruation, the uterual tissue growing externally is aggravated continuously. It can get torn, break down and bleed. This often leads to the formation of kelloidal tissue and causes discomfort.
In the United States, the Endometriosis Research Center reports that there are over 7 million cases of endometriosis among women. It has been found to be the key causes of chronic pain in the pelvis, gynecologic surgeries, and infertility.
Why Does Endometriosis Occur?
At present, the cause behind the occurrence of endometriosis is unknown, although experts have proposed several possible explanations. Studies of late suggest that this condition could be dictated by heredity.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of endometriosis would include, chronic pelvic pain, pain in the lower back, dysmenorrhea, irregalur or heavy breathing, 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 cases that are severe, endometriosis may cause infertility.
Diagnosis
The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other diagnostic means such as MRIs, CAT scans or ultrasound are normally inconclusive. The doctor would need to look into the symptoms being felt, as well as the patient’s health history. In trying to diagnose the disease, the doctor may use laparatomy or a laparoscopic procedure.
There remains no cure to endometriosis, but physicians suggest some modes of therapy that would help the patient manage it.
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. If no effect is evident, prescription medications could be the next step.
Hormonal Drug Therapy
Hormone drugs can be used to block a patient’s ovulation. The goal is to stop the lesions from being aggravated further and to protect against the onset of various other illnesses. These types of medications include GnRH agonists, oral contraceptives, and progesterone drugs. Hormone therapy is performed particularly on patients who have come from surgery.
Surgery
Doctors use conservative surgery such as laparoscopy and laparatomy to diagnose the disease, as well as remove the abnormal growths. If this succeeds, it could help eliminate the pain and even raise the woman’s chances of conceiving.
If conservative surgery is not effective, doctors may recommend hysterectomy and/or other, more invasive, surgical methods.
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 fertility herbs. There is a significant volume of literature supporting these natural treatments, each promoting wellness while at the same time stimulate the body’s innate healing and defense mechanisms.