Laparoscopy for Diagnosis of Endometriosis
While some women who have endometriosis can remain asymptomatic, the reality is that a higher percentage of individuals will begin to notice nagging discomfort and pain that worsens over time, as uterine cells continue their migration away from where they belong, in the uterus, and grow and adhere to other regions of the body. Over time, the condition can progress to the point where the person is suffering a noticeably diminished quality of life, is fatigued, in pain, and made infertile.
Laparoscopy for diagnosis of endometriosis has been perfected over the years and is an effective, relatively non-invasive way to determine the true extent of what are called endometriosis implants (abnormal tissue growths outside the uterus). Being able to see into the body and locate the endometriosis implants is crucial to accurate diagnosis and successful treatment.
When used as a diagnostic tool, laparoscopy is considered a minor procedure with a fast recovery time. Performed under general anesthesia, laparoscopy for diagnosis of endometriosis is a form of "key-hole" surgery that can, with great precision, generate clear snapshots of the stage of endometriosis under investigation. Most patients go home the day of the procedure, unless an overnight stay is preferred or indicated for post-surgery monitoring.
The patient's abdomen is first inflated with carbon dioxide via a tiny incision near the navel. The slender laparoscopic "camera" is then gently inserted into the abdominal cavity, where it can provide an immediate picture of what is happening in both the abdomen and pelvis. Once the doctor has obtained the necessary images, the scope may be carefully removed, the gas is released, and a few small stitches are all that is needed to close the incision. If endometriosis is identified during laparoscopy, the endometriosis lesions can usually be treated immediately without significantly prolonging the patient’s recovery.
In order to obtain the correct diagnosis of endometriosis, some experienced endometriosis surgeons will be able to visually identify the lesions. Some endometriosis surgeons also take biopsies (tissue samples) of suspected endometrial growths. Those tissues can then be examined under a microscope to confirm diagnosis and start the patient on the road to treatment and, in turn, relief of symptoms.
For more information on laparoscopy for diagnosis of endometriosis, contact Dr. Eric Daiter at www.drericdaitermd.com. He and his team of caring and knowledge professionals will review your case and provide you with a tailored treatment plan that fits your lifestyle, budget and work commitments. If you would like to read more about diagnosing endometriosis and possibly download your free copy of our Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Endometriosis please visit us at http://www.drericdaitermd.com/laparoscopy-for-diagnosis-of-endometriosis-0
Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis is a relatively common disorder in women of child-bearing age, and while some cases can present with few to no noticeable symptoms, the more typical scenario is one of increasing discomfort and pain as the condition progresses. Endometriosis can also cause infertility. When the endometrial cells that line the uterus begin to migrate beyond their intended location, they can cause non-cancerous (benign) tissue implants in various parts of the body, from the reproductive organs to seemingly unrelated regions such as the lungs and brain (although it should be noted that the latter situations are very rare, and the condition is most frequently discovered on the exterior of the uterus as well as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina, bladder and colon).
Endometriosis symptoms can vary widely among different women, but the following physical signs should serve as an alert signal that the condition is progressing and should be reviewed and treated as soon as possible to prevent ongoing discomfort and, ultimately, the possible end result of infertility.
- In the early stages of endometriosis the woman might feel nothing. However, as cells continue to migrate, multiply and attach to organs outside the uterus, the patient will often begin to notice unusual abdominal pain and cramping; the pain can eventually become severe enough to significantly affect quality of life;
- Sudden or increasing pain during intercourse;
- Generalized inflammation will often be present at the onset of menstruation, caused by the endometriosis implants;
- Unexplained and worsening fatigue not relieved by rest should alert you to the possibility of endometriosis if cramping, bleeding and pain are simultaneously present;
- Spotting between periods, atypical periods (heavy blood flow that lasts longer than normal), and aggravated, atypical PMS both before and during menstruation;
- Bleeding from the rectum;
- Pain in the intestines not related to other conditions and which can be sharp and intense or more of a dull, persistent ache;
- As the disease progresses, the risk of infertility increases, which is also why a prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial.
Because endometriosis symptoms can mimic those associated with the menstrual cycle, many women are unsure if they have endometriosis or uncomfortable periods. Dr. Eric Daiter and his professional team of experts will study your case thoroughly and, if endometriosis is indeed found, will treat it with state-of-the-art techniques geared toward long-term success. Contact Dr. Daiter at http://www.drericdaitermd.com for more information. For more information on endometriosis symptoms, please visit our page at http://www.drericdaitermd.com/endometriosis-symptoms and also consider downloading our free Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Endometriosis.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial cells, which are present inside the uterus and designed to be shed on a monthly basis during menstruation, begin to grow outside the uterus, resulting in what are called endometriosis implants. These implants, while benign (non-cancerous), can eventually lead to significant discomfort and pain, and they are adept at attaching themselves to parts of the body related to the reproductive organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes, exterior surface of the uterus, cervix, vagina). Although endometriosis is often viewed as a cell-growth disorder limited to the reproductive/pelvic region, the fact is that these invasive tissues can multiply and adhere to everything from the intestines and bladder to the lungs and brain. They can even become lodged in scars from prior surgeries.
Endometriosis targets women of child-bearing age, and many individuals can unknowingly have the condition because it does not always present with noticeable symptoms, at least until the growths have become large or widespread enough to hinder overall health and quality of life. Conservative estimates maintain that approximately one million American women have some form of endometriosis, even if they have not obtained a definitive diagnosis from a physician or are not experiencing obvious symptoms. Endometriosis can lead to an inability to conceive or carry to term, thus it's not surprising that some 20 to 50 percent of women seeking fertility counseling and treatment have some form of the condition.
For the most part, endometriosis is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 25 and 35, although it has been documented in adolescent girls. Post-menopausal women who have not experienced endometriosis are often in the clear, as it is rare in that patient population. Caucasian women are more prone to endometriosis than Asians and African Americans, and studies have revealed the fascinating fact that endometriosis is dramatically more prevalent in slender, tall women whose body mass index (BMI) calculates to the low side of normal.
The causes of endometriosis range from "retrograde menstruation" (menstrual flow is backed up into the fallopian tubes, pelvis and/or abdominal cavities) to the migration of endometrial cells during surgery.
For more information on this common and highly treatable condition, contact Dr. Eric Daiter at the New Jersey Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, www.drericdaitermd.com. Dr. Daiter and his knowledgeable and friendly staff can answer any questions you might have about symptoms of endometriosis, endometriosis treatment, and what is endometriosis? For additional information on “what is endometriosis?” and to download your free copy of our Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Endometriosis, go to http://www.drericdaitermd.com/What-is-endometriosis
Endometriosis is a female medical condition that impacts the entire pelvis and can often have a negative effect on fertility. When a woman suffers from this condition, the uterine lining grows outside of her uterus (around the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries) and often causes progressively severe chronic pelvic pain. Some women experience other symptoms, such as painful periods, infertility and pain with bowel movements or urination. However, a doctor may not immediately think to check for endometriosis, which can delay the diagnosis and prolong the symptoms.
When a woman experiences chronic pelvic pain, often severe and corresponding to her menstrual cycles, it can be a clear indicator that she may suffer from endometriosis. If you find that you are experiencing pain during your period, or even at regular times in between, it is best to visit your doctor as soon as possible. This visit becomes even more important if the pain is having a significantly negative impact on your daily life. In some cases, the pain is so severe that a woman can hardly get out of bed in the morning, let alone complete other simple daily activities. The earlier you can identify the source of the problem, the faster you can receive treatment and begin to live pain-free again.
Another negative impact of endometriosis in women is infertility. Because infertility can have a wide range of causes, endometriosis is often not the first issue a doctor looks for. Hormone levels and a semen analysis are usually the first steps. However, if you are experiencing some of the other signs of endometriosis, such as chronic pelvic pain or painful periods, mention these to your doctor as well so he can check for endometriosis early. The only way to resolve infertility due to endometriosis is to treat the condition. If you don't receive treatment for this condition, other fertility treatments may not be effective, thus impacting your chances of becoming pregnant.
Once your doctor suspects endometriosis as the cause of your chronic pelvic pain and infertility, you will undergo testing to determine if you have the condition. A pelvic exam will check for signs of scaring or cysts caused by the condition. A vaginal ultrasound may also be used to look for cysts directly related to endometriosis. The most accurate test, though, is laparoscopy. During this test, you will undergo a minor surgical procedure where the surgeon inflates your abdomen to get a better look at the reproductive organs. He inserts a small camera through a small incision to look for problems within the pelvis, including endometriosis.
Ideally, prior to laparoscopy, your doctor will discuss treatment options for endometriosis if it is identified. Some medications are available to treat the condition; however, these medications often only treat the symptoms and do not remedy the condition. If you are only seeking to deal with the chronic pelvic pain, medication may be the best option. However, if you are experiencing infertility, medication typically won't help. To reverse the endometriosis, you will most likely require a surgical procedure to remove the tissue.
Choosing a less invasive surgery can help you get back on your feet more quickly and resume trying to conceive or living without chronic pelvic pain. Ultrapulse CO2 lasers have long been used to get rid of external scar tissue and wrinkles; however, these lasers have also been found to be effective for removing endometriosis lesions and scar tissue related to the disease. Using these lasers instead of cutting out the impacted areas is just as thorough, reduces damage to surrounding organs, and allows for a quicker recovery time.
For more information about Dr. Daiter's clinic and its services, and to learn more about endometriosis in detail, please visit his website at www.drericdaitermd.com.
Couples facing infertility issues can experience a spectrum of conflicting and sometimes devastating emotions: sadness, fear, frustration, worry, hopelessness. On top of that, they may question their ability to finance methods and procedures that will help them reach their goal of conceiving a child. Fertility specialist Eric Daiter, MD, who is board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and his staff at The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine are deeply and passionately involved in the daily business of helping couples realize their dreams of becoming parents by providing an economical and effective method of conception called intrauterine insemination (IUI), also known as artificial insemination.
The cost of IUI can vary widely, thus it is important to find a clinic that places affordable patient care above large, fancy offices and overpriced services. Dr. Daiter purposely maintains moderately sized offices and employs a small staff in order to pass those savings on to his patients and also create a welcoming, soothing atmosphere in which staff and patients get to know each other on an intimate level. This sense of comfort and support is an essential part of the IUI process and in overcoming the challenges of infertility.
By keeping overhead office costs as low as possible without compromising the high level of expertise that exists within his staff, Dr. Daiter can offer IUI for as little as $200 if the patient has no insurance or if the patient's insurance does not cover fertility treatments. Other comparable clinics in the area have been known to charge as much as $1,000 or more to perform the same IUI procedure, regardless of the patient's insurance coverage status. Dr. Daiter's staff members are well-versed in the sometimes labyrinthine language of health insurance policies and can help patients navigate their coverage in order to understand exactly what is and what is not covered as it pertains to IUI cost.
When researching a fertility doctor and clinic, it is important to intimately understand your own goals and the types of relationships you wish to build with your caregivers. Reducing anxiety and stress is key to achieving a viable pregnancy, and when the added factor of significantly reduced cost (fewer worries about affordability) is brought into the equation, the chances for success are dramatically increased. Dr. Daiter and his team are determined to make you to feel like a valued individual, rather than simply another patient seeking IUI; in other words, you will become a face and not a number. They want to instill in you a sense of confidence in the IUI procedure itself, its cost and its potential for a successful outcome; to that end, each patient receives a tailored treatment plan that springs from initial intake documentation to extensive conversations about expectations about IUI cost and procedure. Budgets are discussed openly and various payment options are presented. The issue of time commitment is also an important component of the fertility process, and Dr. Daiter's clinic will accommodate your busy schedule with appointments that do not interfere with your work schedule and lifestyle commitments.
For more information about Dr. Daiter's clinic and its services, and to learn more about the IUI procedure in detail, please visit his website at www.drericdaitermd.com.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is widely accepted as an effective and affordable option for couples ready to embark on fertility treatments. Dr. Eric Daiter, a board certified reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist and the founder of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, has a proven success rate in using IUI for eligible couples and, together with his friendly and knowledgeable staff, has decades of professional expertise to help you begin the joyous journey toward parenthood.
Also commonly referred to as artificial insemination, the IUI procedure is straightforward and safe. To summarize, it involves placing viable sperm as close to the fallopian tubes as possible, which in turn facilitates an environment in which the sperm have fewer barriers to navigate and cross as they travel to meet the mature egg that has dropped down into the tube. To ensure that the IUI procedure can work as efficiently as possible, patients are first guided through a clinical interview and examination process to determine exactly what could be preventing viable sperm from meeting the released egg. For example, if subtle male factor infertility is the issue, or if Dr. Daiter discovers an abnormal sperm-mucous interaction during a postcoital test, then manually placing the sperm as close as possible to the fallopian tube using a soft, flexible, painless catheter is initially the preferred method.
If, however, the male's sperm is found to be abnormal and no obvious underlying cause is revealed, then in addition to IUI, treatment options can progress to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with IUI, and IVF with ICSI; these treatment options are generally considered to be more aggressive than basic IUI (though they, too, are safe), and Dr. Daiter prefers to approach each patient case in a linear and carefully controlled manner, hoping of course that the relatively simple IUI procedure works its magic and brings on a lasting pregnancy.
For those patients who are candidates for IUI, the benefits are many: It is inexpensive (in fact, Dr. Daiter's office charges significantly less for the procedure than other area clinics) and non-invasive. Once the timing of ovulation has been determined (through the use of an ovulation predictor kit or an ovulation monitor), the procedure can be completed in the clinic setting with few to no side effects. Furthermore, sperm placed within the uterine cavity enjoy reproductive perks over those placed "naturally" during intercourse. Due to their advantageous proximity to the location of the egg, they experience much less "drop-off" as would occur were they required to make the long trip toward the fallopian tube--in the case of sperm, a lengthy, circuitous and often exhausting route in which many of them die, reducing the changes of successful fertilization. Numbers, indeed, are of vital importance. To illustrate: During normal intercourse, approximately 50 to 500 million sperm can be deposited in the vaginal vault, where they can anticipate a brief lifespan of about 1-2 hours. From there, only about 1 million sperm successfully make it to the cervical mucous, where they can live for several days. However, only a few thousand can achieve placement at the pinnacle of the top of the uterine cavity, and of those that make it to that point, only a fraction will actually enter the tube to search for and make contact with the mature egg. The IUI procedure ensures that millions of active, thriving sperm are placed exactly where they need to be to drastically increase the chances of insemination.
For more information about this safe and time-proven method of artificial insemination, or to contact Dr. Daiter and his staff, please visit the clinic's website site at www.drericdaitermd.com.