Endometriosis is a condition that about 10% of women experience at some point in their life. It’s a disorder where tissue from the uterus, also known as endometrium, grows outside the uterine cavity. It can cause intense pain and cramping during menstruation or sex. In severe cases, surgery in Hoboken endometriosis might be necessary to remove the growths. This disease has many symptoms, including discomfort with periods, difficulty getting pregnant, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping, among others.
Endometriosis also affects the quality of life in many people who suffer from it due to the side effects that include fatigue, mental distress, mood changes, gastrointestinal problems, and bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Endometriosis has no cure, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms, such as pelvic floor therapy and medication for pain relief.
- Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that you can use to diagnose and treat endometriosis. A laparoscope (a thin, telescope-like instrument) is inserted through a small incision in the lower abdomen to view the pelvic organs. If your doctor finds endometrial implants, they can remove them using electrocautery, lasers, heat cautery, or a surgical stapling device.
Laparoscopic procedures also include removal of gallstones (cholecystectomy), appendectomies, hernia repairs, and many other variations. The surgeon inserts instruments through small incisions in the abdomen and uses computer technology to magnify images on video monitors. It allows for better visualization at reduced risk than closed surgical techniques such as exploratory laparotomy, where multiple large incisions are made.
- Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the uterus. It is for women with severe endometriosis who have not responded to other treatments or for those who wish to avoid future pregnancies. Hysterectomy may also be recommended for women with cancerous or precancerous lesions in the uterus.
- Oophorectomy
An oophorectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing one or both ovaries. It may be suitable for women with severe endometriosis who have not responded to other treatments or for those who wish to avoid future pregnancies. If only one ovary is removed, the other ovary will continue to produce hormones.
- Endometrial Ablation
Endometrial ablation is a surgical procedure that destroys the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). In this case, the doctor will use a heated device, such as a microwave or laser to destroy the endometrial tissue. This procedure mainly helps treat women with heavy menstrual bleeding that does not respond to other treatments.
- Medications
Your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve the symptoms of endometriosis. Hormonal medications, such as birth control pills, progestins, and danazol, can help suppress the growth of endometrial implants. Non-hormonal medications, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, may also be prescribed to help relieve pelvic pain. Additionally, antibiotics may be prescribed to help reduce pelvic inflammation. In some cases, you may combine medications with other treatments such as surgery, laser ablation, or balloon ablation to treat endometriosis.
To summarize, endometriosis is a gynecological disease where tissue similar to the endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. The cause remains unknown, but you can benefit from some treatments to reduce its severity. Common treatments for the condition include hysterectomy and laparoscopy. However, your doctor may also recommend medications, endometrial ablation, and oophorectomy.
