Endometriosis

If you experience urinary problems such as painful urination, a cystoscopy procedure can help. The friendly and professional OB/GYN team at the Tubal Ligation Reversal Center in Loganville, Georgia, offers outpatient cystoscopy procedures to diagnose, monitor, and treat urinary issues. To schedule your cystoscopy, call the office or book an appointment online today.  

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows on the outside instead. This tissue, called implants, typically grows on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the intestines, on the exterior of the uterus, and, in rare cases, can be found farther afield. This condition, in and of itself, isn’t particularly harmful, but complications with this tissue can cause pain, scarring, and disruption in organ function.

Each month, the tissue that lines the uterus, the endometrium, thickens to get ready to receive a fertilized egg. If an egg doesn’t arrive, that tissue breaks down and is ejected, creating a woman’s menstrual cycle. The problem endometriosis presents is that the tissue outside the uterus acts in the same way, but has nowhere to go, which can lead to a painful irritation in the implants, as well as scarring.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Endometriosis can present itself in many ways. The most common signs include:

Pain

The pain associated with endometriosis can crop up in many ways and depends on the location of the affected tissue. Typically, the pain is experienced in the pelvic and abdominal areas, or can be felt during sex or bowel movements.

Infertility

Because of complications with endometriosis, some women may have problems trying to get pregnant.

Abnormal bleeding

Heavy bleeding during a period and bleeding and spotting between periods are good indicators of endometriosis.

If you’re experiencing any of the above, make an appointment at the Tubal Ligation Reversal Center to investigate further and to get started on a treatment plan.

Can endometriosis be treated?

There’s no cure for endometriosis. In fact, doctors don’t know the definitive cause of the condition. There are, however, several ways to address the problems associated with endometriosis, such as:

• Hormone therapy
• Over-the-counter pain management
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Hysterectomy

Figuring out which treatment is right for you depends upon your symptoms and your goals. For example, fertility issues are treated differently and without the use of oral contraceptives, for obvious reasons. As well, irreversible surgeries, such as a hysterectomy, are last-resort measures for chronic sufferers. Your doctor sits down with you to figure out the best treatments for your goals.

To learn more about managing endometriosis, call the Tubal Ligation Reversal Center or book an appointment using the online tool.