Endometriosis

What is Endometriosis?

The membrane that lines your uterus is called the endometrium. Endometriosis, sometimes called endo, is a condition that causes endometrial cells to grow in places they normally wouldn’t.

Endometriosis most often affects your reproductive organs, such as:

• Ovaries and fallopian tubes
• Outer surface of the uterus
• Space behind the uterus

Endometrial cells can also grow on nearby pelvic organs, such as your bladder or intestines. In rare cases, endometrial cells can grow outside the pelvic area, even as far as the lungs and brain.

These out-of-place endometrial cells will continue to behave like they normally would, thickening and shedding with your menstrual cycle. Since there’s no way for them to leave your body, they can cause swelling, pain, and other symptoms.

Who Gets Endometriosis?

As many as 11% of women suffer from endometriosis. This condition can occur to anyone who gets menstrual periods, but it is most commonly diagnosed in women who are in their 30s and 40s.

You may be at greater risk of developing endometriosis if you have a mother, aunt, or sister with this condition. Menstrual cycles that last less than 27 days or involve more than seven days of bleeding are also risk factors for developing endometriosis.

What are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

The most common symptom of endometriosis is pain, which may vary in type and intensity. Other symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting in between periods
• Severe menstrual cramps
• Pain during or after sex
• Painful urination or bowel movements
• Digestive problems such as diarrhea and constipation
• Difficulty getting pregnant

Endometriosis symptoms vary from woman to woman depending on the severity and location of the out-of-place endometrial tissue.

Can I Still Get Pregnant with Endometriosis?

Yes. About 50% of women who struggle with infertility also have endometriosis, but many are able to get pregnant with proper treatment. If endometriosis causes difficulty getting pregnant, talk to the compassionate doctors at Capital Women’s Care. They can recommend treatments to help you get pregnant.

How Do You Diagnose and Treat Endometriosis?

Your provider at Capital Women’s Care may discover signs and symptoms of endometriosis while performing a pelvic exam and reviewing your medical history. To check for abnormal endometrial growths, they may take an ultrasound imaging test.

Then, they will develop a treatment plan based on your particular symptoms. If you don’t want to get pregnant, they may recommend hormonal therapies such as birth control. If you are trying to get pregnant, they may prescribe a different type of hormonal medicine.

In severe cases where medication doesn’t help, surgery may be required. The expert doctors at Capital Women’s Care offer minimally invasive surgery to treat endometriosis.

If you have symptoms of endometriosis, call Capital Women’s Care or book an appointment online.  

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