Endometriosis causes pelvic pain and infertility in women
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.