What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis develops when tissues that line the inside of your uterus, the endometrium, grow outside the uterus. Patches of endometriosis may appear on the outer wall of the uterus or on your fallopian tubes and ovaries. It can also occur on your bladder, bowel, and the tissues lining your abdomen.

The uterine lining responds to changes in hormones during your monthly cycles. Hormones trigger changes that prepare the endometrium to nurture an embryo if you become pregnant. If you don’t become pregnant, the endometrium sheds, creating your menstrual period.

When endometrial tissues grow outside your uterus, they continue to respond to hormones. When it’s time for your period, patches of endometriosis bleed inside your pelvis, causing inflammation that eventually leads to scarring.

What Symptoms Develop if I Have Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is known for one primary symptom: pain. Some women don’t have any symptoms, but when they appear you may experience:

• Pelvic pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Painful menstrual periods
• Pain in the week before your period
• Pain when you urinate
• Pain when you have a bowel movement

The severity of your pain doesn’t necessarily reflect the extent of your endometriosis. You could have a small patch of endometriosis and experience severe pain, or you could have extensive endometriosis with mild pain.

Does Endometriosis Cause Infertility?

Endometriosis can make it hard to get pregnant. Many women who don’t develop symptoms discover they have endometriosis when they schedule an infertility evaluation because they haven’t been able to conceive. An estimated 40% of women with infertility have endometriosis.

How is Endometriosis Treated?

Your treatment is based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you plan to have a baby in the future. The most conservative treatment begins with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve your pain and hormonal medication to reduce or stop your menstrual periods.

When you can’t tolerate your symptoms or you want to improve your fertility, your doctor at OhBloomGyn may recommend minimally invasive surgery to remove the patches of endometriosis.

Pelvic pain is a generic symptom that arises from many possible gynecologic conditions. To determine whether your pain is due to endometriosis, schedule an appointment today with Dr. Diana Tran Kim or Dr. Viet Anh Be by calling OhBloomGyn.