Endometriosis Specialist

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a painful condition that develops when the tissue that normally grows inside the uterus (the endometrial lining or endometrium) begins to grow outside the uterus. These growths are called implants, and they can form on the outside wall of the uterus, on the ovaries or the fallopian tubes, or in some cases, on the intestines or elsewhere in the abdominal cavity. Endometrial implants can range in size depending on hormonal fluctuations, and they tend to grow only during the childbearing years, with growth halting during menopause, when many implants begin to shrink.

What symptoms does endometriosis cause?

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary depending on changes in hormone levels and the size and location of the implants. Some common symptoms include:

• periods that are very painful and feature sharp cramps
• abnormal vaginal bleeding, including bleeding between periods
• pelvic pain or pressure
• lower back pain during and before periods
• fertility problems
• pain during intercourse
• vaginal bleeding following intercourse
• pain when moving the bowels
• blood in the stool or urine

Some women experience symptoms on a persistent basis while in other women, symptoms may only occur or become worse during their periods. In very mild cases, women may not realize they have the condition until they have difficulty conceiving and an examination reveals the presence of implants.

How is endometriosis treated?

Endometriosis cannot be cured, but it can be managed. One of the most common approaches to the management of mild to moderate endometriosis involves hormone therapy to help stabilize hormonal fluctuations that cause implants to grow and become symptomatic. Medication may also be prescribed to reduce pain. When endometrial implants interfere with fertility or pregnancy or cause significant symptoms that take a toll on quality of life and everyday activities, surgery may be recommended to remove the implants. Most surgery for endometriosis is performed using minimally-invasive techniques, but when the implants are large or numerous, a traditional approach using a larger incision may be a better option. In some cases, implants can recur following removal. Most women benefit from ongoing therapy to prevent or control recurrence.