Endometriosis and Pregnancy – No Cure But Pregnancy is Still 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 lining of the uterus will shed as it normally does, but the portion that grows outside of the uterus stays. During the process of ovulation to menstuation, the uterual tissue that grows externally is continuously provoked. It could tear, break and bleed. This could lead to scar tissue formation and some pain and discomfort.
There are over 7 million reported cases of endometriosis among females in the US, according to the Endometriosis Research Center. It is one of the primary causes of chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and gynecologic surgeries.
Why Does Endometriosis Occur?
Currently, the reason for the occurrence of endometriosis is still not known, but experts propose several possible causes. Studies of late suggest that this condition could be dictated by heredity.
Symptoms
Symptoms of endometriosis include lower back pain, chronic pain the pelvis, painful menstruation (dysmenorrheal), fatigue and irregular or labored breathing. Women can also expect to feel some pain while ovulating or having sexual intercourse, painful bowel movements, and GI tract conditions like diarrhea, constipation, or bloating. In worse cases, endometriosis may result in infertility.
Diagnosis
The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other diagnostic exams like MRIs, ultrasound, or CAT scans are usually inconclusive. A doctor needs to study symptoms of the patient and her medical history. In an attempt to diagnose the illness, the doctor has the option to conduct a laparoscopic or a laparotomy procedure.
Endometriosis has yet to find a cure, but doctors suggest certain methods of treatment to help with its management.
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 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 would be to prevent further provocation of the lesions and to shield onself against the onset of related symptoms. These drugs cover GnRH agonists, progesterone drugs, and oral contraceptives. 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 successful, this would help get rid of the pain and boost the woman’s chances of pregnancy.
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. Some of the common and more popular natural treatments are acupuncture, Chinese medicaine, and nutrition-based programs like fertility herbs. There is a significant volume of literature supporting these natural treatments, each promoting wellness while at the same time stimulate the body’s innate healing and defense mechanisms.
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