Endometriosis is a painful disorder whereby tissue similar to that lining the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Many women with endometriosis experience pelvic pain often associated with menstrual periods. The exact cause of Jackson Heights endometriosis is not certain, but there are possible explanations. They include surgical scar implantation, retrograde menstruation, endometrial cell transport, and immune system disorder. Although there is no cure for endometriosis, effective treatments help ease symptoms and improve life quality. They include:
Pain medication
Your doctor may recommend painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to ease painful menstrual cramps. If you are still in pain after taking painkillers, inform your doctor so that they may prescribe other drugs or recommend a different treatment.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy aims to reduce or stop estrogen production in your body since this hormone encourages the growing and shedding of endometriosis tissue. Minimizing estrogen can shrink endometriosis tissue in your body and reduce pain. However, hormone treatments do not address adhesions and cannot improve fertility. Also, hormone therapy is not a permanent fix for endometriosis; symptoms could return after treatment.
Examples of hormone-based treatments for endometriosis include:
- Hormonal contraceptive. The combines oral contraceptive pill, patches, and vaginal rings help control the estrogen hormone, which is responsible for the buildup of endometrial tissue each month.
- Progestin therapy. Different progestin therapies, such as hormonal IUDs, contraceptive implants, and Depo-Provera injections, can halt menstrual periods and the growth of endometrial implants. This may help relieve endometriosis symptoms such as painful periods.
- Aromatase inhibitors. These are a class of medicine that limit or reduce the amount of estrogen hormone in your body. Often, healthcare providers recommend an aromatase inhibitor combined with progestin or a combined hormonal contraceptive.
Conservative surgery
If you have endometriosis and wish to become pregnant in the future, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove endometriosis implants while preserving your reproductive organs. Patients with severe pain from endometriosis may also benefit from surgery, but pain may return.
Conservative surgery involves procedures such as laparoscopy. During this procedure, your provider makes small incisions in your tummy, through which they insert a small tube with a light source and camera. The laparoscope sends images of your uterus and pelvis to a computer monitor, which your doctor uses for treatment. The surgeon uses fine instruments to cut away or applies heat or special gas to the endometriosis tissue.
Hysterectomy
You may discuss a hysterectomy with your specialist if other conservative treatments and laparoscopy haven’t worked. It is a major operation that involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries. Previously, hysterectomy was considered the most effective endometriosis treatment but experts are moving away from this approach.
Ovary removal automatically results in menopause. Since you won’t have ovaries to produce reproductive hormones, you may experience pain relief. If you have had a hysterectomy young, you may be at risk of certain metabolic conditions, heart and cardiovascular diseases, and early death.
Even if you don’t want to have children in the future, it is important to get a second opinion before undergoing a hysterectomy; this will help you to understand the possible outcomes and make an informed decision.
If you have further questions about endometriosis, consult your healthcare provider at Raveco Medical.
