Pregnancy and Endometriosis - No Cure But Pregnancy Chances Remain

26 Feb

Posted by admin as Back Pain

Pregnancy and Endometriosis - Background

Endometriosis is a condition where tissues normally lining a woman’s uterus grow or attach to organs located outside. During a woman’s period, the uterine lining will normally slough off; however the part that grows outside the uterus will remain. Throughout the entire process of ovulation and menstruation, one uterual tissue, which grows externally, becomes constantly provoked. 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.

Why Does Endometriosis Happen?

To date, endometriosis has no identified cause, although experts do note several potential explanations. Studies to date indicate that the condition may be hereditary.

Symptoms

Endometriosis symptoms would often include chronic pain in one’s pelvic area, irregular or labored breathing, pain in the lower back, pain associated with dysmenorrhea, 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. Endometriosis can result to infertility, in severe cases.

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 order to diagnose the problem, the doctor may opt to conduct a laparotomy or a laparoscopy.

A Cure for Endometriosis?

Endometriosis has yet to find a cure, but doctors suggest certain methods of treatment to help with its management.

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 key here is to stop the further provocation of the lesions and to protect oneself against the onset of other related problems. These types of drugs include oral contraceptives, progesterone medications, and GnRH agonists. Hormone therapy is normally recommended for those who have been through surgery.

Surgery

Doctors would usually conduct conservative surgical procedures like a laparotomy or a laparoscopy to find out the nature of the disease and to remove unusual growths found. If successful, this will eliminate pain and improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.

If a conservative surgical procedure is ineffective, doctors may suggest a hysterectomy or some other invasive surgical method.

Alternative/Natural Therapy

Quite a number of patients choose to go the alternative route of treatments instead of undergoing surgeries and taking medications. Popular alternative therapies include Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition-influencing treatments 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.