Endometriosis is a painful condition in which tissue from the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) ends up growing in other parts of the body - outside the uterus. How this happens is not fully understood, but it is a common problem which affects millions of women.

What Are The Symptoms of Endometriosis?

The predominant symptom is pelvic pain, before and during menstrual periods.

You may also experience:

• urination and bowel movements during periods
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Fatigue
• Infertility
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Who Is More Likely To Have This Condition?

You may be more prone to endometriosis if you:

Had early menarche (you were young when you got your first period) Have a family history of endometriosis. Have heavy menstrual flow Have abnormally long menstrual periods (longer than 7 days) Have short menstrual cycles (less than 27 days)

What Does Treatment for Endometriosis Involve?

Hormonal Treatment:

Using estrogen and progestin, found in birth-control pills, can help mediate the influence of the body’s natural hormones on these errant endometrial growths. They generally are useful for women with small growths and mild pain, and provide moderate symptomatic relief.
GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone) antagonists such as leuprolide (Lupron) are antiestrogenic, so they inhibit menstruation, which therefore inhibits the endometrial growths.

Pain Management

Using NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen may be helpful, or stronger pain relievers can be prescribed.

Surgery:

If there are multiple growths, significant pain, and/or infertility, then surgery is probably the best choice. There are three main types of surgery typically used:

• Laparoscopy is the most commonly used procedure for both diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. A laparoscope is inserted into a small incision, and growths and scar tissue are removed. The objective is to treat the endometriosis without harming the healthy tissue around it. Women recover from laparoscopy much faster than from major abdominal surgery.
• Laparotomy is NOT the same as laparOSCOPY. The laparOTOMY involves much a much larger incision into the abdomen. However, it is easier for the surgeon to access and excise endometriosis growths in the pelvis and abdomen. For severe endometriosis, this may well be the best course of action.
• Hysterectomy (salpingo-oophorectomy) is a procedure – which h can also be performed laparoscopically) wherein the uterus is removed, sometimes along with the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This is done when endometriosis has severely damaged these organs.

How Long Does Surgery for Endometriosis Take?

Laparoscopy – generally 1-2 hours

Laparotomy – depending on the extent of disease, sometimes 3+ hours

Hysterectomy – Simple: 30 min-1 hour. Complex: up to 2.5 hours

How Many Treatments Are Required?

Laparoscopy/Laparotomy: depends on individual. The offending growths are surgically removed, but it is impossible to know whether more could be generated.

Hysterectomy: you can only do a hysterectomy once (if all components are removed).

Theoretically, it is still possible to have endometriosis recurrence even without the presence of the endometrium . Removal of the ovaries offers a better protection against recurrence.

When Will I See Results?

After removal of the growths, there should be significant symptom relief.

What Are My Alternatives for Treatment of Endometriosis?

• Hormone Treatment
• Pain Management
• Will I Have Pain?
• Postoperative pain may occur after anesthesia wears off; however, it can be managed with prescription and nonprescription analgesics.

When Can I Go Back To Work Or School?

Laparoscopy: usually a few days to a week.

Laparotomy: several weeks

Hysterectomy: 3-6 weeks.

Who Will Perform My Endometriosis Treatment?

One of our experienced gynecologic surgeons will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

How Much Does It Cost?

Depends on which procedures are necessary. Please call TopSurgeons at 800-506-8084 for more information.

Will My Insurance Cover Endometriosis Treatment?

Insurance should cover the treatment subject to individual policy limitations.