Pregnancy and Endometriosis – No Cure But Pregnancy Chances Remain
Pregnancy and Endometriosis - Background
Endometriosis is a condition where tissues normally lining a woman’s uterus grow or attach to organs located outside. During the menstrual period itself, the uterual lining normally sheds by itself but the part 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.
In the United States, the Endometriosis Research Center reports that there are over 7 million cases of endometriosis among women. It has been found to be the key causes of chronic pain in the pelvis, gynecologic surgeries, and infertility.
What Leads To Endometriosis?
To date, endometriosis has no identified cause, although experts do note several potential explanations. Recent studies point that the condition may be genetic.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of endometriosis would include, chronic pelvic pain, pain in the lower back, dysmenorrhea, irregalur or heavy breathing, 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. 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.
There remains no cure to endometriosis, but physicians suggest some modes of therapy that would help the patient 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 that doesn’t work, prescription drugs may be recommended.
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 drugs cover GnRH agonists, progesterone drugs, and oral contraceptives. Hormone therapy is used especially for patients who have undergone surgery.
Surgery
Doctors use conservative surgery such as laparoscopy and laparatomy to diagnose the disease, as well as remove the abnormal growths. If successful, this will eliminate pain and improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.
If traditional surgery does not prove to be effective, doctors can opt to perform a hysterectomy or other more invasive procedures.
Alternative/Natural Therapy
A lot of patients prefer alternative or natural treatments against surgical procedures and medications. Popular alternative therapies include Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition-influencing treatments like natural herbs for fertility. There exists a considerable amount of studies that support the effectiveness of these natural treatments to do no harm and to awaken the body’s inherent defense mechanisms and healing activity.