It is important to note that the amount of pain a woman experiences is not necessarily related to the severity of the disease. Some women with severe endometriosis may experience no pain, while others with a milder form of the disease may have severe pain or other symptoms.
Endometriosis is considered one of the three major causes of female infertility. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, endometriosis can be found in 24 to 50 percent of women who experience infertility. In mild to moderate cases, the infertility may be temporary. In these cases, surgery to remove adhesions, cysts and scar tissue can restore fertility. In other cases — a very small percentage — women may remain infertile.
How endometriosis affects fertility is not clearly understood. It is thought that scar tissue from endometriosis can impair the release of the egg from the ovary and subsequent pickup by the fallopian tube. Other mechanisms thought to affect fertility include changes in the pelvic environment that results in impaired implantation of the fertilized egg.
Johns Hopkins fertility and gynecology experts share the top three things they want women to be aware of regarding reproductive health. For many women, simply having a diagnosis of endometriosis brings relief. A diagnosis of endometriosis can only be certain, though, when the doctor performs a laparoscopy, biopsies any suspicious tissue and the diagnosis is confirmed by examining the tissue beneath a microscope.
Laparoscopy is a minor surgical procedure in which a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera at the end, is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. Laparoscopy is also used to determine the location, extent and size of the endometrial growths. Ultrasound : A diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs.
CT scan : A noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images — often called slices — of the body to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary X-ray. MRI scan : A noninvasive procedure that produces a two-dimensional view of an internal organ or structure. A staging, or classification, system for endometriosis has been developed by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
The stages are classified as follows:. The stage of endometriosis is based on the location, amount, depth and size of the endometrial tissue. Specific criteria include:. The stage of the endometriosis does not necessarily reflect the level of pain experienced, risk of infertility or symptoms present. For example, it is possible for a woman in stage 1 to be in tremendous pain, while a woman in stage 4 may be asymptomatic.
If symptoms are mild, health care providers generally agree that no further treatment, other than pain medication, is necessary. Pain medication: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or other over-the-counter analgesics.
Category 4: Deep infiltrating endometriosis 2 The endometriosis is present outside the pelvic region as well and may have implanted in distant organs like the heart, lung, and brain.
In an effort to cut down on the time it takes to diagnose and treat endometriosis, there is a movement among doctors to start recognizing the signs of the disease clinically, without the need for surgery, Dr. One classic sign of endometriosis is painful periods , which then progress to pain that lasts beyond the menstrual cycle. Sometimes, physical exams can reveal cysts, and other times ultrasounds can reveal that organs like the uterus might be pulled or tilted toward a certain side—a sign that scar tissue has formed.
It could also curb symptoms sooner, which could cut down on the development of painful and debilitating scar tissue.
If a woman is diagnosed with endometriosis, treatment will depend on both her symptoms and her goals. Other drugs that affect hormone levels can be effective, although some come with severe side effects. Lupron, an injectable drug, brings the level of estrogen down so low that it could cause young women to enter early menopause. Danazol uses male hormones to control endometriosis but may cause hair growth or acne.
To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter. Here's What Each One Means. There Are 4 Stages of Endometriosis. By Anna Almendrala Updated February 14, Save Pin FB More. Close Sign in. Chest pain? Leg Pain?
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Did you know? New Patient? Returning Patient? Our doctors, the best endometriosis specialists are here to help We always welcome new or returning patients. Minimally Invasive Surgery Center specializes Minimally Invasive Surgery Center specializes in the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of female reproductive disorders including:.
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