Handling Endometriosis and Pregnancy – Incurable But Pregnancy Remains Possible
Posted on February 28, 2010
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Pregnancy and Endometriosis - Background
Endometriosis is described as a condition that arises when the tissues that normally line the uterine walls attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus or grow. 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 might get torn, disintegrate 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 is one of the primary causes of chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and gynecologic surgeries.
Why Does Endometriosis Occur?
To date, endometriosis has no identified cause, although experts do note several potential explanations. Studies of late suggest that this condition could be dictated by heredity.
Symptoms
Endometriosis symptoms would often include chronic pain in one’s pelvic area, irregular or labored breathing, pain in the lower back, pain associated with dysmenorrhea, and fatigue. Women may also experience pain during sexual intercourse and ovulation, painful bowel movements and gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea and constipation. Endometriosis can result to infertility, in severe cases.
Diagnosis
The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other diagnostic exams like MRIs, ultrasound, or CAT scans are usually inconclusive. A healthcare practitioner needs to look into the signs and symptoms, as well as the patient’s medical history. In an attempt to diagnose the illness, the doctor has the option to conduct a laparoscopic or a laparotomy procedure.
Endometriosis has no cure yet, but physicians recommend several treatment methods to help a patient manage her symptoms.
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 goal is to stop the lesions from being aggravated further and to protect against the onset of various other illnesses. These medications include oral contraceptives, GnRH agonists and progesterone drugs. Hormone therapy is performed particularly on patients who have come from surgery.
Surgery
Doctors would usually conduct conservative surgical procedures like a laparotomy or a laparoscopy to find out the nature of the disease and to remove unusual growths found. 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.
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