Endometriosis

What is endometriosis?

Under normal circumstances, the tissue that lines your uterus prepares itself each month to receive a fertilized egg. When and if the egg doesn’t arrive, the tissue sheds itself out, culminating your menstrual cycle. With endometriosis, this tissue grows outside your uterus, often draping itself over:

• Your fallopian tubes
• Your ovaries
• The exterior of your uterus
• Nearby connective tissue

The main problem is that this tissue acts as it normally would inside your uterus, thickening for a potential pregnancy, but when it comes time to shed out, it has nowhere to go. As a result, adhesions may form on your reproductive organs that cause pain and interfere with conception.

Despite its prevalence, there’s no known cause of endometriosis.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

The primary signs that endometriosis is present include:

• Painful menstrual cramps
• Pain during sex
• Pain during urination or bowel movements
• Abnormal bleeding (spotting between periods)
• Heavy bleeding
• Infertility

The only way to properly identify the underlying cause of your symptoms is to undergo a thorough pelvic examination at Jersey Women’s Care Center, which is equipped with the latest diagnostic tools, including ultrasound and laparoscopy.

How is endometriosis treated?

Since the exact cause of endometriosis remains somewhat of a mystery, there’s no single cure for the condition. That said, there’s much Drs. Hou and Ramirez can do to offset your symptoms, such as:

• Oral contraceptives to regulate your hormones
• Medications to control ovulation
• Contraceptive implants

These treatments work well to control the pain and bleeding associated with endometriosis, but they also prevent you from getting pregnant. If you wish to become pregnant, the doctors can treat your endometriosis with a minimally invasive surgery to remove some of the adhesions in your reproductive system that may be interfering with your fertility. Dr. Ramirez performs this procedure laparoscopically using specialized instruments and a camera, which she inserts through small incisions in your lower abdomen.

The bottom line is that how the OB/GYNs treat your endometriosis depends upon your unique situation. Their primary objective is to find solutions that relieve the symptoms while also allowing you to reach your goals.

If endometriosis is affecting your quality of life, call Jersey Women’s Care Center or use the online booking tool to set up an appointment.