Handling Endometriosis and Pregnancy – Incurable But Pregnancy Remains Possible

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 uterual lining is shed as per normal, but the portion growing outside the uterus remains. During ovulation and menstruation, the uterual tissue growing externally is aggravated continuously. It could tear, break and bleed. 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 leading cause of infertility, gynecologic surgeries and chronic pelvic pain.

What Causes Endometriosis?

Currently, the reason for the occurrence of endometriosis is still not known, but experts propose several possible causes. Recent studies point that the condition may be genetic.

Symptoms

Symptoms of endometriosis include lower back pain, chronic pain the pelvis, painful menstruation (dysmenorrheal), fatigue and irregular or labored breathing. Women may also experience pain during sexual intercourse and ovulation, painful bowel movements and gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea and constipation. In cases that are severe, endometriosis may cause 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. A doctor will need to look into the patient’s symptoms, as well as her medical history. In trying to diagnose the disease, the doctor may use laparatomy or a laparoscopic procedure.

Cure for Endometriosis?

Endometriosis has no cure yet, but physicians recommend several treatment methods to help a patient manage her symptoms.

How It’s Treated

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 it doesn’t react well, one might need to take prescription medications.

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 medications include GnRH agonists, oral contraceptives, and progesterone drugs. Hormone therapy is performed particularly on patients who have come from surgery.

Surgery

Doctors use conservative surgery such as laparoscopy and laparatomy to diagnose the disease, as well as remove the 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 large amount of literature that supports the use of natural treatments as a wellness tool that can also stimulate the body’s innate defense system and healing action.

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