Pregnancy and Endometriosis - No Cure But Pregnancy Chances Remain
28th February 2010 by Babies No CommentsPregnancy and Endometriosis - 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 the menstrual period itself, the uterual lining normally sheds by itself but the part that grows outside of the uterus stays. During the process of ovulation to menstuation, the uterual tissue that grows externally is continuously provoked. It might get torn, disintegrate and bleed. This is likely to cause scar tissue formation and some discomfort.
More than seven million females in the United States have endometriosis, says the Endometriosis Research Center. It has been found to be the key causes of chronic pain in the pelvis, gynecologic surgeries, and infertility.
Why Does Endometriosis Happen?
To date, endometriosis has no identified cause, although experts do note several potential explanations. Latest studies conducted on the condition suggest that it may be genetically-influenced.
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. In cases that are severe, endometriosis may cause infertility.
Diagnosis
The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other laboratory and diagnostic tests like ultrasound, CAT scans, or MRIs do not normally lead to conclusive results. The doctor would need to look into the symptoms being felt, as well as the patient’s health history. In order to diagnose the problem, the doctor may opt to conduct a laparotomy or a laparoscopy.
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 drugs cover GnRH agonists, progesterone drugs, and oral contraceptives. Hormone therapy is performed particularly on patients who have come from surgery.
Surgery
Doctors use conservative surgery such as laparoscopy and laparatomy to diagnose the disease, as well as remove the abnormal growths. If successful, this would help get rid of the pain and boost the woman’s 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 more popular alternative treatments include Chinese medicine, acupuncture and nutritional therapies such as 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.
