The Road to Health & Happiness

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Endometriosis & Pregnancy - Background

Endometriosis is a female health condition that occurs when the uterine tissues either grow or attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus. During a woman’s period, the uterine lining will normally slough off; however the part that grows outside the uterus will remain. During ovulation and menstruation, the uterual tissue growing externally is aggravated continuously. It could get torn, disintegrate and cause bleeding. This is likely to cause scar tissue formation and some 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.

Click here for info about issues related to treatment for ovarian cysts.

What Leads To Endometriosis?

To date, endometriosis has no identified cause, although experts do note several potential explanations. Latest studies conducted on the condition suggest that it may be genetically-influenced.

Click here for info about issues related to ovarian cyst treatment.

Symptoms

Usual signs and symptoms of endometriosis include irregular or labored breathing, pain during menstruation, chronic pelvic pain, lower back pain and fatigue. Females may also feel pain during ovulation and while having sex, GI problems like diarrhea, constipation or bloating, and even discomfort while passing stools. In worse cases, endometriosis may result in infertility.

Diagnosis

The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other laboratory and diagnostic tests like ultrasound, CAT scans, or MRIs do not normally lead to conclusive results. 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.

Click here for info about issues related to a burst ovarian cyst.

A Cure for Endometriosis?

Endometriosis has yet to find a cure, but doctors suggest certain methods of treatment to help with its management.

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 objective would be to prevent further provocation of the lesions and to shield onself against the onset of related symptoms. These types of drugs include oral contraceptives, progesterone medications, and GnRH agonists. Hormone replacament therapy is the usual recommendation for patients who have been through surgery.

Surgery

Doctors use conservative surgery such as laparoscopy and laparatomy to diagnose the disease, as well as remove the abnormal growths. If successful, this will eliminate pain and improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.

If traditional surgical procedures prove ineffective, doctors have the option to perform a hysterectomy or other more invasive procedures.

Alternative/Natural Therapy

Many patients prefer natural or alternative therapies to medications and surgery. Some of the common and more popular natural treatments are acupuncture, Chinese medicaine, and nutrition-based programs like herbs for fertility. There exists a considerable amount of studies that support the effectiveness of these natural treatments to do no harm and to awaken the body’s inherent defense mechanisms and healing activity.

Tags: burst ovarian cyst, endometriosis cure, ovarian cyst treatment, treatment for ovarian cysts