Handling Endometriosis And Pregnancy – Incurable But Pregnancy Remains Possible
Endometriosis & Pregnancy - Background
Endometriosis is a female health condition that occurs when the uterine tissues either grow or attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus. During a woman’s period, the uterine lining will normally slough off; however the part that grows outside the uterus will remain. During the process of ovulation to menstuation, the uterual tissue that grows externally is continuously provoked. It might get torn, disintegrate and bleed. This could lead to scar tissue formation and some pain and discomfort.
The Endometriosis Research Center says that there are more than 7 million recorded cases of endometriosis among women in the United States. It is one of the primary causes of chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and gynecologic surgeries.
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Why Does Endometriosis Occur?
Currently, the reason for the occurrence of endometriosis is still not known, but experts propose several possible causes. Studies of late suggest that this condition could be dictated by heredity.
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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. Females may also feel pain during ovulation and while having sex, GI problems like diarrhea, constipation or bloating, and even discomfort while passing stools. In worse cases, endometriosis may result in infertility.
Diagnosis
The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other diagnostic means such as MRIs, CAT scans or ultrasound are normally inconclusive. The doctor would need to look into the symptoms being felt, as well as the patient’s health history. In trying to diagnose the disease, the doctor may use laparatomy or a laparoscopic procedure.
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A Cure for Endometriosis?
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. It this does not work, one may need to take prescription drugs.
Hormonal Drug Therapy
Hormone drugs can be used to block a patient’s ovulation. The objective would be to prevent further provocation of the lesions and to shield onself against the onset of related symptoms. These types of drugs include oral contraceptives, progesterone medications, and GnRH agonists. 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 it succeeds, it will help eliminate pain and increase the chances of pregnancy.
If a conservative surgical procedure is ineffective, doctors may suggest a hysterectomy or some other invasive surgical method.
Alternative/Natural Therapy
Quite a number of patients choose to go the alternative route of treatments instead of undergoing surgeries and taking medications. Some of the common and more popular natural treatments are acupuncture, Chinese medicaine, and nutrition-based programs like herbs for fertility. There is a significant amount of anecdotal evidence in support of these natural therapies which aim to “do no harm” while stimulating the body’s inherent defense and recovery mechanisms to heal itself.
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