Endometriosis and Pregnancy – No Cure But Pregnancy is Still Possible
Endometriosis and Pregnancy - 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 uterual lining is shed as per normal, but the portion growing outside the uterus remains. Throughout the entire process of ovulation and menstruation, one uterual tissue, which grows externally, becomes constantly provoked. It could get torn, disintegrate and cause bleeding. This is likely to cause scar tissue formation and some discomfort.
In the United States, the Endometriosis Research Center reports that there are over 7 million cases of endometriosis among women. It is a key cause of gynecologic surgeries, chronic pelvin discomfort, and infertility.
What Causes Endometriosis?
To date, endometriosis has no identified cause, although experts do note several potential explanations. Studies to date indicate that the condition may be hereditary.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of endometriosis would include, chronic pelvic pain, pain in the lower back, dysmenorrhea, irregalur or heavy breathing, and fatigue. 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 severe cases, endometriosis can lead to 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. A doctor needs to study symptoms of the patient and her medical history. In order to diagnose the problem, the doctor may opt to conduct a laparotomy or a laparoscopy.
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 objective here is to prevent further aggravation of the lesions and guard against the onset of other symptoms. These types of drugs include oral contraceptives, progesterone medications, and GnRH agonists. Hormone therapy is performed particularly on patients who have come from surgery.
Surgery
Doctors would usually conduct conservative surgical procedures like a laparotomy or a laparoscopy to find out the nature of the disease and to remove unusual growths found. If successful, this would help get rid of the pain and boost the woman’s chances of pregnancy.
If traditional surgical procedures prove ineffective, doctors have the option to perform a hysterectomy or other more invasive procedures.
Alternative/Natural Therapy
A lot of patients prefer alternative or natural treatments against surgical procedures and medications. Popular alternative therapies include Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition-influencing treatments like 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.
