Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common and painful condition that can significantly impact daily life. In endometriosis, tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus in other areas of the abdomen and pelvic region. This condition can lead to severe and heavy menstrual periods, as well as fertility challenges.

Endometriosis Causes

The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown. In this condition, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows inappropriately outside the uterus, such as on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, intestines, and within the pelvic cavity. This misplaced tissue can lead to painful symptoms due to increased inflammation, often resulting in fibrosis and adhesions.

When endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, it can form scar tissue known as adhesions. These adhesions can cause organs to fuse together, creating connections that normally wouldn’t exist, leading to discomfort and pain.

Endometriosis Symptoms

Endometriosis is associated with various symptoms, with pain being the primary one. This pain can range from intense to mild and is typically felt in the abdomen, pelvic region, and lower back. While endometriosis is a common condition, not everyone experiences symptoms. In some cases, it may only be discovered during another procedure or an investigation into infertility.

Women who experience symptoms of endometriosis may have:

Very painful menstrual cramps.
Abdominal or back pain during your period or between periods.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Heavy bleeding during periods or spotting (light bleeding) between periods.
Infertility (difficulty becoming pregnant).
Painful bowel movements.

There is no direct correlation between the severity of endometriosis and the intensity of its symptoms. Some individuals may have only a few patches of endometriosis but still experience severe pain, while others with more extensive endometriosis may not have significant pain.

Endometriosis Treatment

Dr. Yamal will help create your treatment plan for endometriosis based on a few factors, including:

The severity of your endometriosis.
Your plans for future pregnancies.
Your age.
The severity of your symptoms (often pain).

In many cases, the treatment plan for endometriosis will primarily focus on managing pain and addressing fertility issues, especially if you are planning for a future pregnancy. This may involve a combination of medications and surgical options.

Medications are commonly used to manage the symptoms of endometriosis. These may include pain relievers and hormone therapies.

Hormonal options for suppressing endometriosis can include:

Birth Control: There are multiple forms of hormonal suppression options including combination options using estrogen and progesterone or progesterone-only options. These come in multiple forms including oral birth control pills, patch, vaginal ring, birth control shot, Nexplanon implant or IUD. This hormonal treatment often helps people have lighter, less painful periods. These are not options for patients attempting pregnancy.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) medications: This medication is actually used to stop the hormones that cause your menstrual cycle. This basically puts your reproductive system on hold as a way to relieve your pain. GnRH medications can be taken as an oral pill (by mouth), a shot or a nasal spray.
Danazol (Danocrine®): This is another form of hormonal medication that stops the production of the hormones that cause you to have a period. While taking this medication for endometriosis symptoms, you may have the occasional menstrual period, or they might stop entirely.

It’s important to note that symptoms of endometriosis may return if you stop taking the medication. Additionally, these medications are generally not recommended during pregnancy or while actively trying to conceive. Be sure to discuss the benefits and risks of each medication with your doctor before starting treatment.