What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue (endometrium) that lines the uterus develops outside of the uterine cavity in places like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, abdominal cavity and even the intestines and bladder. This tissue can irritate structures that it touches, causing pain and adhesions (scar tissue) in these areas as well as cause infertility in women.
Symptoms:
While many women with endometriosis may have abdominal pain, especially during intercourse or their period, some women have no symptoms at all. Due to scar tissue and inflammation, endometriosis can make it difficult to become pregnant. It is estimated that approximately 30% to 50% of women with infertility may have endometriosis.
Diagnosis:
If endometriosis grows inside the ovary and forms a cyst (endometrioma), it usually can be seen during an ultrasound examination if the cyst is large enough, unlike other ectopic endometrial tissue which does not show up on an ultrasound. The only way to tell for certain if endometriosis is present is through an evaluation by a doctor that typically involves a minimally-invasive surgical procedure called laparoscopy.
Outcome:
Many women with endometriosis go on to have successful pregnancies. With minimal endometriosis, surgically removing or destroying endometriosis can increase your chances of becoming pregnant naturally. Women with more advanced stages of endometriosis typically have more scar tissue and damage to the reproductive organs, and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is highly recommended to successfully achieve pregnancy.
If you suspect you may have endometriosis or are having a difficult time getting pregnant, you can set up an appointment with us here.
