What Causes Endometriosis?

The true cause of endometriosis is unknown, but there are a few widely accepted theories. If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, then you may have some questions about its causes, problems, and symptoms.
Endometriosis is common for many women of childbearing age. It is usually found when a woman has problems conceiving and seeks the help of an infertility specialist. Endometriosis occurs when cells and tissues similar to your uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. The cells and implants can grow on your uterus, ovaries, inside of your abdominal cavity, and on surrounding organs. Endometriosis can cause serious, even life-threatening problems when it is left untreated.
Symptoms of endometriosis include pain, from mild to severe, abnormal bleeding, and infertility. Some women have undetectable symptoms and the endometriosis goes undiagnosed and untreated until it is discovered through infertility treatments. The only way for endometriosis to be definitively diagnosed is through a laparoscopic surgery.
Laproscopy involves a small laparoscope being inserted through a small incision in your belly. The scope is a long tube that allows your doctor to look around your abdominal cavity. Your reproductive organs will be inspected and biopsies may be taken for study in the lab. Laparoscopic surgery is also used to remove endometrial implants, cysts and scar tissue.
Endometrial tissues are the same types of cells that your uterine lining is composed of. Therefore, the endometriosis reacts to hormones in much the same way that your uterus does. As hormonal signals tell your uterus to grow a lining, the endometriosis also grows. When hormonal changes cause the lining to shed, such as in menstruation, the endometriosis also sheds. This can cause considerable pain and even the pooling of blood. Implants can grow and interupt the function of the organs that are near it.
The most common consensus among experts concerning the cause of endometriosis is that uterine lining cells when shed, travelled up through the fallopian tubes instead of out through the cervix. The cells were expelled from the fallopian tubes into the abdominal cavity, where they implanted and grew. Most endometriosis implants are usually located on the outside of the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.
No matter what the cause, endometriosis is a serious condition that should not be ignored. It is a progressive disease that only gets worse until menopause. It will not get better on its own. Pain is not an indicator of how severe endometriosis is. Mild pain can occur with severe endometriosis while severe pain can occur with mild endometriosis. If you suspect that you may have endometriosis, do not hesitate to get a diagnosis and immediately begin treatment.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

Treating Endometriosis with Medication

Endometriosis can cause many uncomfortable and painful symptoms. Endometriosis occurs when tissues similar to the uterine lining grow outside of the uterus. Many women with endometriosis may not even know it until they experience severe symptoms or go in for diagnostic infertility treatments.

Endometriosis can be severe and exhibit no symptoms. On the other hand, it can be mild and cause extreme pain. You can not tell how extensive endometriosis is judging by the symptoms you experience. Symptoms often cause chronic lower back pain and pelvic pain. Menstrual cramps and period pain can be severe as well. Many symptoms get worse over time, considering that endometriosis is a progressive disease. Heavy periods, irregular bleeding, pain during urination or bowel movements and infertility are common symptoms of endometriosis.

If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, your doctor may prescribe medications to help manage your pain. If you are trying to conceive, you may elect to have laparoscopic surgery to remove as much of the endometriosis as possible. Talk with your doctor and infertility specialist about what options may be best for you.

Medications are generally not used for women trying to conceive because the medications themselves will keep you from ovulating. If you are only looking for pain management, then pain medications and hormone therapies may be effective for you, especially if symptoms are mild.

Pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen. If not, then your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain reliever for you. If pain continues, then hormone therapy is the next step.

Endometriosis builds up and breaks down with your menstrual cycle just like your uterine lining does. This can cause blood and tissue to pool up inside of your abdomen and cause pain. Birth control pills are a common hormone treatment because they keep the body from building up and shedding these types of cells. Most birth control pills contain progestin and estrogen, and can relieve a lot of the pain caused by endometriosis. Keep in mind that symptoms could quickly return if you stop taking them. If you have problems with estrogen, your doctor can prescribe a birth control pill that only has progestin.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists) can stop or slow down the growth of endometrial tissue. GnRH agonists reduce the amount of estrogen that your body produces. This can really help with pain and other symptoms. GnRH agonists can lower your estrogen production so low that you may need to take some estrogen with it to prevent osteoporosis. Like birth control pills, symptoms can quickly return when you stop taking them.

Talk with your doctor about every option before taking medications to relieve your endometriosis symptoms.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

Treating Endometriosis with Surgery

If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis then you probably are wondering about your treatment options. Treatment options can vary from person to person. This usually depends on whether or not infertility is a factor. Symptoms can sometimes be controlled with over-the-counter pain killers and anti-inflammatory medications. Birth control pills can be effective at controlling the growth of endometrial implants. But, if endometriosis is severe or has affected surrounding organs, then surgery may be the only option for you.
Surgery is sometimes recommended if medications fail to control the endometriosis. Sometimes medicines are not an option. For example, if you are trying to conceive, then you may not want to take birth control pills or other hormonal treatments. Surgery might be one of your only options.
If endometriosis is found to be obstructing the bowels or distorting other organs then surgery may be immediately necessary. Removal of the uterus and/or ovaries may be necessary. If you are trying to conceive, then talk to your infertility specialist about treatment options that will allow you to have children. Many surgical procedures do result in restored fertility and preserved ovaries and uterus. Find a surgeon that is skilled and experienced in endometriosis removal. Ask your infertility specialist about experience and success rates.
Endometriosis may cause infertility in a few different ways. It is believed that the endometrial implants can throw off your hormonal balance. This can affect ovulation, fertilization and implantation. Endometriosis around the ovaries and fallopian tubes can cause scar tissue to grow inhibiting the release of eggs or blocking the fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can even distort the anatomy of the uterus.
Many women with endometriosis do not have trouble with fertility and it is really a more common problem for women with more severe cases of endometriosis. Unfortunately, endometriosis sometimes goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years before it is discovered. This is because it can only definitively diagnosed through a laparoscopic surgery. Many women only have this procedure done when they see an infertility specialist about fertility issues.
Laparoscopic surgery is the surgical method most often used to remove endometrial implants. It is generally minimally invasive and performed under a general anesthesia. Implants can be destroyed by laser or electrical current. They are sometimes cut out, or excised. The surgeon may need to make other small incisions to insert surgical instruments that allow more complex procedures. Larger incisions are rare and are usually only used for major surgeries involving more organs affected by endometriosis.
Talk to your surgeon about your procedure. Discuss the goals of surgery and ask what you can expect. Follow the advice of your surgeon when it comes to preparation for the surgery as well as how to care for yourself when you get home. Many women need ongoing management of their endometriosis even after surgery. Laparoscopy endometriosis treatment can vary from person to person, so it is important to talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

Could My Symptoms Be Endometriosis?

If you are experiencing some symptoms that seem to be getting progressively worse each month then it could be endometriosis. Endometriosis can cause infertility and severe abdominal pain. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and it is only discovered when you experience infertility and go for a diagnosis.
Usually pelvic pain is the number one complaint among women with endometriosis. Pain generally worsens as menstruation approaches and lessens when it is over. Pain can be severe or mild and the pain level is not a good indicator of how severe or widespread the endometriosis is. Many women say that they have extreme pain during pelvic exams or intercourse. Endometriosis is a progressive disease and symptoms generally get worse and more noticeable over time.
Irregular or heavy periods are common with endometriosis patients. Back pain is also a common complaint. If the endometrial implants are near nerves or cause scar tissue to grow, then pain can become severe. Some other symptoms of endometriosis include constipation, diarrhea, and blood in the urine. If endometriosis spreads to the lungs or brain, then severe headaches, seizures and coughing up blood are possible signs. It is rare for endometriosis to spread this far. It is normally localized in the lower abdomen and affects the ovaries and uterus.
If you are having any symptoms of endometriosis it is important to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if fertility is a concern. If you are having trouble getting pregnant, it could be very important to see an infertility specialist as soon as possible. Since endometriosis is a progressive disease, there can be little time to waste. Consider immediate diagnosis and treatment if you plan on having children.
The only way for endometriosis to be definitively diagnosed is through a laparoscopic exploratory surgery. Laparoscopy is minimally invasive and can give your doctor a clear view of your uterus, ovaries and surrounding abdominal cavity. They can also take biopsies of suspicious tissues during this procedure.
Laparoscopy is usually performed under general anesthesia and is done through a very small opening in your belly. First, the doctor will inflate your abdomen with carbon dioxide. This gives them a lot of room to look around. The laparoscope is a long thin tube that allows the surgeon to look for implants and take biopsies.
If endometriosis is found, then medications may be prescribed or surgery may need to be performed. Treatment can depend on whether or not infertility is a concern.
Do not delay seeking treatment if you suspect endometriosis. No one should ever ignore endometriosis symptoms or assume that they are normal menstrual pains.
About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT.

Endometriosis and Infertility

Millions of women in the United States suffer from endometriosis. Many go untreated or undiagnosed. The outcome of untreated endometriosis can be very serious, including infertility, progressive pain and organ damage.
Women who suffer the effects of endometriosis often experience debilitating pain and discomfort. Some end up losing their jobs or even dropping out of school to try and cope with the pain. The problem is, many women think that they are just experiencing normal period pain, such as cramping, abdominal pain and back pain. Endometriosis is a progressive disease and gets worse over time. Delaying treatment can cause infertility and severe organ damage.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of endometriosis, you need to see your doctor right away. This is not something that should be put off, due to the escalating nature of the disorder. Symptoms may be very mild and sometimes go completely unnoticed by some women. This does not mean that the endometriosis is not severe. Endometriosis tends to be illusive due to the fact that symptoms can be anywhere from not noticeable to extreme. Also, the diagnosis is difficult because endometriosis symptoms mimic many other diseases and disorders.
If symptoms are noticeable, they can include pelvic pain, menstrual cramps that can be severe, and/or cramping during intercourse, urination or bowel movements. Symptoms generally get progressively worse over time, but they can vary a lot from woman to woman. Some women have varying degrees of pain and some experience more relief over time. It is very hard to pinpoint endometriosis symptoms and it is often dismissed as part of the menstrual cycle. The one thing that generally triggers women to seek diagnosis and treatment is infertility.
Endometriosis is only properly diagnosed through laparoscopy. Laparoscopy gives the doctor a clear view inside of the pelvis and abdomen. Biopsies of tissues can be taken during the laparoscopic treatment to help produce an accurate diagnosis. Laparoscopy is usually performed under general anesthesia and is considered a minor surgery. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to give the surgeon room to look around. A laparoscope is inserted through a small incision and patients usually go home the same day after the procedure.
Women who have endometriosis are not always infertile, but many are. About a quarter of women seeking infertility treatment discover, through exploratory laparoscopy, that endometriosis is the cause of their infertility. Many women are able to regain their fertility after a laparoscopic surgery. Be sure that you select a skilled and experienced infertility specialist, or reproductive endocrinologist to perform your laparoscopy endometriosis treatment.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

Endometriosis Symptoms

Endometriosis is one of the most common health issues for women. Endometriosis occurs when a tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside of the uterus. Endometriosis can occur in several areas of the female pelvic region including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the pelvic sidewall, on the bowels or bladder. The most commonly reported symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. The pain will often coincide with the menstrual cycle, but can also manifest itself at other times as well. Due to the fact that endometriosis can be located in various areas of the pelvis, the pain associated with endometriosis can also be triggered in different areas as well. The abdominal area and lower back are two other common complaint areas that can be attributed to endometriosis. The amount of pain felt by a woman with endometriosis does not correlate to the scale of the disease within. It is possible for a woman experiencing little or no pain to have endometriosis implants affecting large areas. On the other hand, it is also possible for a woman experiencing severe pain to have a small level of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a progressive condition that can cause menstrual cramps to intensify and grow more severe over time. Endometriosis can also cause pain during ovulation. Pain, during or after sexual intercourse, can also be associated with endometriosis. Diarrhea or constipation, usually in correlation with menstruation, is another symptom of endometriosis. Endometriosis can also cause heavy or long menstrual periods and spotting between periods. Fatigue is also associated with endometriosis. A key symptom that affects roughly one third of women with endometriosis is infertility. A woman who started her period at an early age, has long, irregular and/or heavy periods, or that is related to someone who has had endometriosis, will have increased chances of getting the disease themselves. The pain associated with endometriosis for many women is severe enough to start affecting their lives. It can affect productivity, her personal relationships, and of course, her fertility. If you believe you might have endometriosis, consult your obstetrician/gynecologist. Your doctor may use ultrasound or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to search for endometriosis growths. A laparoscopy surgery is the best way to find out definitively if you have endometriosis. During a laparoscopy, the doctor makes a small incision in the abdomen, so that a small scope can be inserted to look for endometriosis growths. Tissue samples are also sometimes taken and a biopsy performed on them to reach the correct diagnosis. If you are concerned about possible endometriosis symptoms, please consult your doctor or infertility specialist. There is not a cure for endometriosis, but there are treatments available to counter the endometriosis symptoms including infertility and pain relief. Endometriosis is progressive and can become dangerous, so do not delay your treatment.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

Laparoscopy Endometriosis Treatment

Your infertility specialist may recommend laparoscopy to diagnose and treat endometriosis. Laparoscopy is a relatively non-invasive procedure, especially in the diagnostic phase of your infertility treatment. It can be a lot more invasive, and can be considered a major surgery when it is used to treat endometriosis.
To perform a laparoscopic procedure, your doctor will make a small incision near your navel. Your abdomen will be filled with carbon dioxide to inflate it. This allows the doctor to then insert the laparoscope and inspect your reproductive organs and abdominal cavity. The inflation gives the doctor plenty of room to look around. Your body may be tilted back during the procedure so that your intestines and other organs will shift higher up into your body. This gives the surgeon a more clear view of your reproductive organs.
The laparoscope itself is like a tiny, long telescope. It projects a light into your body so that the surgeon can look around. Your doctor may need to make a second incision near your pubic bone to insert other surgical tools. Endometriosis may be quite visible, but sometimes it is not visible to the naked eye. Your surgeon may take biopsies of tissue from your body during the laparoscopic procedure. The tissues will be examined under a microscope to confirm or deny the presence of endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a condition that causes the endometrium, normally lining your uterus, to grow outside of the uterus and attach itself to surrounding structures and organs. Adhesions and scar tissue can form inside of your abdominal and pelvic regions, causing a lot of pain, discomfort and fertility problems. Endometriosis can be mild and may not be discovered until a laparoscopic procedure is performed. If endometriosis affects your ovaries or fallopian tubes, then it can keep eggs from passing through to your uterus for implantation. Endometriosis is a progressive condition and can get worse over time.
Symptoms of endometriosis include abnormally heavy bleeding during menstruation, extremely painful menstrual cramps that last for days, back pain, painful intercourse, urination or defecation. These symptoms can be very similar to other infections or disorders. Therefore, endometriosis may be overlooked until infertility is a concern.
If endometriosis is discovered, your infertility specialist can use laparoscopy as part of the surgical treatment. A pelvis afflicted by endometriosis can also include adhesions, cysts, scar tissue and endometrial implants. Your surgeon will attempt to remove endometrial implants, drain cysts, separate and loosen adhesions and scar tissue. Laser treatment may be used to cut away adhesions, scar tissue and cysts.
Laparoscopy used to treat endometriosis is considered a major surgical procedure, but because of the small incisions made and the state of the art techniques used, there is generally a fast recovery with minimal discomfort after the procedure. Talk to your doctor and discover if laparoscopy endometriosis treatment can help you be on your way to fertility.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.

What is Frozen Pelvis?

Endometriosis is a growing concern among women today. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the endometrial glands and stroma that line the uterus grows outside of the uterus. Endometriosis tissue can grow anywhere inside of the abdominal cavity. The symptoms of endometriosis include severe pelvic pain, heavy or erratic bleeding and fatigue. If the endometriosis spreads through the abdominal cavity and fuses organs together, it is referred to as frozen pelvis.
If you have been diagnosed with frozen pelvis, you may have a lot of questions. Frozen pelvis is caused by pelvic inflammation, most commonly endometriosis. Frozen pelvis can cause a lot of different problems. Each individual inflicted with frozen pelvis will have a unique diagnosis. Your intestine may be fused with the uterus, your bladder can be fused with your abdominal wall, or your ovaries and fallopian tubes can be fused with your uterus, which is fused with a cesarean section scar. Every situation is unique and the problems can be widespread.
You may be wondering why this happened to you. Many women have the same question. Endometriosis occurs when uterine lining, normally shed during menstruation, moves upward in the uterus, through the fallopian tubes, and out into the abdominal cavity. This tissue is very irritating to the abdominal tissues and can cause the abdominal tissue to become sticky and scarred. Long strands of scar tissue, called adhesions, can bind organs together. They pull on the organs that they inflict and can affect their function. This can cause bowels to be obstructed. It can cause your bladder not to empty, causing infections. In many cases, surgery and/or medication will be recommended if problems like this are occurring.
Infertility is another possible side effect of endometriosis. To determine that endometriosis is the cause of infertility, a surgical procedure called laparoscopy may be performed. This allows your doctor to see inside of your abdominal cavity with a small scope. Your doctor may determine that endometriosis is one possible cause of infertility if it is adhering to your ovaries and fallopian tubes, or distorting your reproductive organs in any way. Endometriosis can cause tubes to be blocked or ovaries to adhere to abdominal walls or your uterus. In rare cases the endometriosis can grow into your ovaries and damage your eggs, resulting in a reduced egg quality or quantity.
Your next question is probably about treatment options. Frozen pelvis is an advance stage of endometriosis and may require ongoing treatment for fertility to return or to have relief from its debilitating symptoms. Surgery, hormone therapy and physical therapy can all help you get on your way to healing.
The endometrial cells that are causing your frozen pelvis react to hormones in a manner similar to your uterine lining. This means that the cells thicken and shed just like having a menstrual period inside of your body. Blood and endometrial cells can pool up, since they have nowhere to go, causing a lot of pain. Birth control pills can help the problem tissues shrink and cause fewer problems. The growth of the tissues can be controlled long-term in this manner. Anti-inflammatory medications help with pain. Exercise, stretching and palpation of the affected area can help some of the adhesions break loose from your organs. Talk to your doctor about what infertility treatment. options are best for your personal situation and good luck with your journey to fertility and relief.

About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit http://www.drericdaitermd.com/.