Handling Endometriosis And Pregnancy – Incurable But Pregnancy Remains Possible

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 at 10:50 pm

Endometriosis and Pregnancy - Background

Endometriosis is a female health condition that occurs when the uterine tissues either grow or attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus. During menstruation, the lining of the uterus will shed as it normally does, but the portion that grows outside of the uterus stays. During ovulation and menstruation, the uterual tissue growing externally is aggravated continuously. It could tear, break and bleed. This could lead to scar tissue formation and some pain and discomfort.

More than seven million females in the United States have endometriosis, says the Endometriosis Research Center. It is a leading cause of infertility, gynecologic surgeries and chronic pelvic pain.

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What Leads To Endometriosis?

To date, endometriosis has no identified cause, although experts do note several potential explanations. Studies of late suggest that this condition could be dictated by heredity.

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Symptoms

Usual signs and symptoms of endometriosis include irregular or labored breathing, pain during menstruation, chronic pelvic pain, lower back pain and fatigue. 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 severe cases, endometriosis can lead to infertility.

Diagnosis

The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other laboratory and diagnostic tests like ultrasound, CAT scans, or MRIs do not normally lead to conclusive results. A doctor will need to look into the patient’s symptoms, as well as her medical history. In order to diagnose the problem, the doctor may opt to conduct a laparotomy or a laparoscopy.

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Cure for Endometriosis?

Endometriosis still has no cure, however, doctors recommend that certain modes of treatment be applied to help manage it.

Treatment

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 replacament therapy is the usual recommendation for patients who have been through surgery.

Surgery

Doctors usually determine the diagnosis following conservative surgeries like a laparotomy or laparoscopy and often pass through these procedures to extract abnormal growths. If successful, this will eliminate pain and improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.

If traditional surgical procedures prove ineffective, doctors have the option to perform a hysterectomy or other more invasive procedures.

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 significant amount of anecdotal evidence in support of these natural therapies which aim to “do no harm” while stimulating the body’s inherent defense and recovery mechanisms to heal itself.

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