THE SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

How do you know if you have endometriosis?

Millions of women suffer from endometriosis. As a matter of fact, according to the government website for women’s health, more than 5 million women in the United States have this condition, and it is one of the most common health problems among females in their 20s, 30s and 40s. It may also affect teens or any woman who has a menstrual cycle.

If you are trying to get pregnant and can’t, endometriosis might be the reason. Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility.

What are some of the symptoms of endometriosis?

Symptoms of Endometriosis

Endometriosis might present with a number of symptoms, but here are the most frequent.

• Ÿ  Painful menstrual cramps that may worsen with time
• Ÿ  Pain occurring during and/or after sexual intercourse
• Ÿ  Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
• Ÿ  Fatigue
• Ÿ  Diarrhea
• Ÿ  Constipation
• Ÿ  Bloating
• Ÿ  Nausea
• Ÿ  Infertility
• Ÿ  Lower back and pelvic pain that is chronic and ongoing
• Ÿ  Abdominal pain
• Ÿ  Painful urination or painful bowel movements during menstrual cycle
• Ÿ  Excessive menstrual flow

The most frequent symptom of this condition is pain either in the pelvic region or the lower back during your menstrual period.

Some women who have endometriosis experience only one or two of these symptoms, while others are less fortunate and run the entire gamut. If you have one or more of the signs of endometriosis shown above, and are having trouble conceiving, you should see a doctor.

Some women with endometriosis don’t have any symptoms at all, so it should always be considered as a possible cause of infertility if you are having trouble conceiving—unless and until it is ruled out through tests.

There are tests that can determine whether or not you have endometriosis.

Treatment of Endometriosis

There are a variety of treatments for endometriosis.

Here are some of the most commonly used treatments for this condition.

• Ÿ Pain medications, often OTC, although if your pain is severe the doctor may order a prescription pain reliever.=
• Ÿ Hormone therapy might be used to treat endometriosis. This includes hormonal contraceptives, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists, Depo Provera injections, and drugs that block the production of hormones that stimulate the ovaries.
• Ÿ Minimally invasive surgery.
• Ÿ Hysterectomy in severe cases.

If you are diagnosed with endometriosis and want to become pregnant, your Denver fertility clinic doctor might suggest conservative surgery first and if that doesn’t work—ART, or Assisted Reproductive Technologies, such as IVF.