Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists

Endometriosis Essentials: Know the Facts

BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

With endometriosis affecting approximately 5 million American women, it’s important to know the facts. Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus, the endometrium, grows outside the uterus.

In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions (abnormal tissue that binds organs together). Endometriosis can cause pain, sometimes severe, especially during the menstrual cycle. Fertility problems also may develop. The exact cause of endometriosis is not known. However, possible causes include: • The immune system may not be getting rid of endometrial cells outside of the uterus like it should. • Heavy bleeding or an abnormal structure of the uterus, cervix or vagina causes too many endometrial cells to go up through the fallopian tubes and then into the belly. • Blood or lymph fluid may carry endometrial cells to other parts of the body, or the cells may be moved during a surgery, such as an episiotomy or a cesarean delivery. • It may be hereditary. Call a doctor to schedule an appointment if: • Your periods have changed from relatively pain-free to painful and interfere with your daily activities. • You have pain during intercourse. • You have painful urination, blood in your urine or an inability to control the flow of urine. • You have blood in your stool, you develop pain or you have a significant, unexplained change in your bowel movements. • You are not able to become pregnant after trying for 12 months. • You develop sudden, severe pelvic pain (call immediately).

Although there is no cure, treatment can help. Endometriosis treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and whether you want to get pregnant. If you have pain only, hormone therapy may help. If you want to become pregnant, having surgery, infertility treatment, or both may help.

Not all women with endometriosis have pain. And endometriosis doesn’t always get worse over time. During pregnancy, it usually improves, as it does after menopause. If you have mild pain, no plans for a future pregnancy or are near menopause (around age 50), you may not feel a need for treatment.

Regardless, it’s best to discuss your symptoms with your doctor, to receive the proper diagnosis and get any help you need.

Cherokee Women's Health Specialists, PC has eight physicians with offices in Canton and Woodstock. 770-720-7733. www.cherokeewomenshealth.com.

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