Endometriosis Specialist

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition in which endometrial-like tissue grows outside your uterus. Every month, your uterus grows endometrial tissue in preparation for pregnancy. When you don’t get pregnant, your body gets rid of the lining through your period.

With endometriosis, this endometrial-like tissue grows on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer uterus, or other pelvic organs. Like your endometrial lining, this tissue grows and sheds in tune with your menstrual cycle.

Unfortunately, this displaced tissue has nowhere to go, causing inflammation, scarring in the pelvic area, and pelvic pain. 

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Pelvic pain is the most common endometriosis symptom. With endometriosis, you may feel severe pelvic pain during your period, and the pain may continue afterward. You may also have pain during sex or a bowel movement.

Endometriosis may cause bleeding in between your period or infertility, or cause intestinal pain, leading you to think you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

If you have these symptoms, schedule an evaluation at Women's Health Specialists, PLLC.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

The Women's Health Specialists, PLLC, team conducts comprehensive evaluations when you come in with symptoms that sound like endometriosis. They review your medical, gynecological, and family history and conduct a physical and pelvic exam.

The team may perform an ultrasound or endometrial biopsy to rule out other causes of your symptoms. Though your provider may diagnose endometriosis after ruling out other reasons, they need to perform a laparoscopy for confirmation.

A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that allows the team to evaluate your internal pelvic organs using a small surgical camera inserted through an incision in your abdomen. If they find any abnormal growths, the team takes a biopsy to confirm your diagnosis. 

How is endometriosis treated?

The Women's Health Specialists, PLLC, team customizes treatment for endometriosis based on the severity of your symptoms.

Initial treatment may include hormonal birth control to reduce endometrial tissue growth along with over-the-counter medication to control pain. 

For women trying to get pregnant, the team may prescribe a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. This medication puts you in menopause temporarily. When your menstrual cycle resumes, your chances of getting pregnant may improve.

If you have severe symptoms, the team may perform surgery to remove the endometrial growths. 

For expert women’s health care, call Women's Health Specialists, PLLC, or schedule an appointment online today.