Endometriosis and Pregnancy - Background

Endometriosis is a condition where tissues normally lining a woman's uterus grow or attach to organs located outside. During menstruation, the lining of the uterus will shed as it normally does, but the portion that grows outside of the uterus stays. Throughout the ovulation to menstruation phase, the uterual tissue becomes constantly provoked. It could get torn, disintegrate and cause bleeding. This aggravation causes the formation of scar tissue and produces discomfort.

There are over 7 million reported cases of endometriosis among females in the US, according to the Endometriosis Research Center. It is one of the primary causes of chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and gynecologic surgeries.

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Why Does Endometriosis Happen?

Presently, the cause of endometriosis remains unknown, but experts have suggested a few possible reasons. Studies to date indicate that the condition may be hereditary.

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Symptoms

Usual signs and symptoms of endometriosis include irregular or labored breathing, pain during menstruation, chronic pelvic pain, lower back pain and fatigue. Women can also expect to feel some pain while ovulating or having sexual intercourse, painful bowel movements, and GI tract conditions like diarrhea, constipation, or bloating. In worse cases, endometriosis may result in infertility.

Diagnosis

The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Similar diagnostic tests like CAT scans, MRIs, or ultrasound do not usually bear conclusive results. The doctor would need to look into the symptoms being felt, as well as the patient's health history. In an attempt to diagnose the illness, the doctor has the option to conduct a laparoscopic or a laparotomy procedure.

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A Cure for Endometriosis?

Endometriosis still has no cure, however, doctors recommend that certain modes of treatment be applied to help manage it.

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 goal is to stop the lesions from being aggravated further and to protect against the onset of various other illnesses. These drugs cover GnRH agonists, progesterone drugs, and oral contraceptives. Hormone therapy is performed particularly on patients who have come from surgery.

Surgery

Doctors usually determine the diagnosis following conservative surgeries like a laparotomy or laparoscopy and often pass through these procedures to extract abnormal growths. If this succeeds, it could help eliminate the pain and even raise the woman's chances of conceiving.

If conservative surgery is not effective, doctors may recommend hysterectomy and/or other, more invasive, surgical methods.

Alternative/Natural Therapy

Many patients prefer natural or alternative therapies to medications and surgery. Popular alternative therapies include Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition-influencing treatments like natural herbs for fertility. There is a significant amount of anecdotal evidence in support of these natural therapies which aim to "do no harm" while stimulating the body's inherent defense and recovery mechanisms to heal itself.


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Pregnancy and Endometriosis - Background

Endometriosis is described as a condition that arises when the tissues that normally line the uterine walls attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus or grow. During menstruation, the lining of the uterus will shed as it normally does, but the portion that grows outside of the uterus stays. Throughout the ovulation to menstruation phase, the uterual tissue becomes constantly provoked. It might get torn, disintegrate and bleed. This is likely to cause scar tissue formation and some discomfort.

More than seven million females in the United States have endometriosis, says the Endometriosis Research Center. It is a leading cause of infertility, gynecologic surgeries and chronic pelvic pain.

What Leads To Endometriosis?

At present, the cause behind the occurrence of endometriosis is unknown, although experts have proposed several possible explanations. Latest studies conducted on the condition suggest that it may be genetically-influenced.

Symptoms

Symptoms of endometriosis include lower back pain, chronic pain the pelvis, painful menstruation (dysmenorrheal), fatigue and irregular or labored breathing. 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 order to diagnose the problem, the doctor may opt to conduct a laparotomy or a laparoscopy.

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. It this does not work, one may need to take prescription drugs.

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 medications include oral contraceptives, GnRH agonists and progesterone drugs. Hormone replacament therapy is the usual recommendation for patients who have been through surgery.

Surgery

Conservative surgical procedures such as the laparotomy and laparoscopy are conducted by doctors to determine the diagnosis and to remove abnormal growths. If successful, this will eliminate pain and improve a woman's chances of getting pregnant.

If a conservative surgical procedure is ineffective, doctors may suggest a hysterectomy or some other invasive surgical method.

Alternative/Natural Therapy

Quite a number of patients choose to go the alternative route of treatments instead of undergoing surgeries and taking medications. Popular alternative therapies include Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition-influencing treatments like herbs for fertility. There is a significant volume of literature supporting these natural treatments, each promoting wellness while at the same time stimulate the body's innate healing and defense mechanisms.


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