Endometriosis

What is endometriosis and how is it treated?

Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects many women worldwide. Tissue that is similar to the uterus' lining is found in other parts of the body when it should only be found in the uterus. The lesions of endometriosis are often found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and on the side wall of the pelvis. Lesions are occasionally found in the rectal-vaginal septum and uterosacraral ligaments. Sometimes endometriosis is found in caesarean section scars, laparoscopy scars, bladder, appendix, rectum, intestines and on the colon. Although it is rare, endometriosis has been found inside of the vagina, inside of the bladder, on the skin, lungs, spines and brain. Endometriosis can cause scar tissue that can make a woman's internal anatomy distorted. In the later stages of the disease, a condition known as "frozen pelvis" can occur-which means that the internal organs are fused together.

Women that have endometriosis often complain of pelvic pain. Pain in the pelvic area is one of the most common symptoms and it usually is associated with her menstrual cycle. Sometimes the pain is so severe and intense that it affects their daily lives. During a painful period, some women have to miss school or work. Pain can be felt at any time of menstruation, ovulation, during sexual intercourse and even while urinating. Some women feel the pain in the pelvic region, in the bowel region or in their lower back. Women with endometriosis may also suffer from diarrhea, constipation, abdominal bloating, heavy bleeding and fatigue. One well-known complication from endometriosis is infertility. Although not all women who suffer from the complication are infertile, about 35% are.

Diagnosing endometriosis takes time and is often a challenge. There are no simple tests to diagnose the condition. Performing a laparascopy and taking biopsies of the tissue is the only sure way of diagnosing endometriosis. It is an expensive and invasive procedure that should only be done by a surgeon that is well-educated and experienced in diagnosing endometriosis. If you prefer not to have surgery to diagnose the condition, an experienced gynaecologist can recognize symptoms that are common with endometriosis. Other than a general history and physical, your doctor may perform ultrasounds, MRI scans and vaginal exams. None of these tests can 100% confirm or rule out endometriosis. Unfortunately, the only way of finding out for sure is to have an invasive surgery.

Unfortunately, the cause of endometriosis is not yet known and treatment that fully cures the disease is unavailable. There are certain risk factors that are associated with endometriosis and women who have never had children are more likely to experience the condition. A woman can be at an increased risk of developing endometriosis because of a medical problem that prevents the normal passage of menstrual flow. There is no set race or age that endometriosis affects the most. However, the condition does generally develop several years after the onset of menstruation first begins and symptoms generally diminish with menopause or pregnancy. Treatment is based on a woman's individual needs and the doctor will help her decide which plan to choose based on her age, symptoms and future fertility wishes.

Comments: Endometriosis

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katerenee842@hotmail.com - 360 days ago.
Gday I posted ages ago, i have had endo for quite along time nearly 3 yrs maybe and trying to find a solution to falling pregnant. I have hear Clomid is awesome way of falling pregnant. Does anyone else have any ideas. I have to have my period soon, which will be 6 weeks late as usual n then get it.. but trying after that

kmcswan@hotmail.com - 420 days ago.
I know many of the posts I am responding to were posted months ago, but I though I would put my story on here for someone who comes along and needs a positive story to keep them going. In 2001 in was diagnosed with endo after a lap surgery. I had tons of it all over my left side with my bowels adhered to the underside of my stomach. The pain never subsided and I was put on high doses of pain meds and told to just deal the best I could (oh and try to hurry & get pregnant - i was 29 at the time and unmarried). Luckily I got engaged shortly after and we started trying. Two more surgeries and horrible medications- we tried for 10 years. I went through all the infertility testing and was told that with endo, they usually don't find any medical reason but end up just calling it, 'unexplained infertility'. I was devastated to say the least. Fast forward & my husband at the time and I divorced. I'm was 38, childless and basically taking enough pain meds to kill a horse- just to function with the pain. But I refused the constant medical advice of a hysterectomy. I kept remembering the advice I got from one very kind doctor. He said, 'you have to be the advocate for your own fertility. You never know what life will bring and no one but you can know when you are done trying to become a mother. '. I moved back to Seattle where I'm from and figured I'd live with my parents and save the money to adopt myself. Well shortly after I moved, my college boyfriend looked me up and long story short- we ended up dating. 5 months later I was pregnant! No stress, no doctors nothing! I had a baby girl who is now 16 months old. Of course I wanted a sibling for her, but by then I was 40 AND have endo. One month of having sex on my so called fertile days and I'm now pregnant with a baby boy who is due this July! My point is - it is possible. Only you know when you are ready to stop trying for a baby or have the hysterectomy so many doctors suggest. It's your body and only YOU have to live with the life decisions you make. Not the doctors, not family members- just YOU. I even remember times when I was having to take so much pain medicine to just get out of bed, that I thought about ending it all. I figured I'd been born to have a baby and be a mother and here i was in my late 30s divorced, living at my parents and taking pain meds with not even a sliver of hope or that I would end up with the life I had wanted. Of course having babies at 40 was not my first choice nor was all the surgeries, medication and pain- but in the end I got my two babies and so can you!

katerenee842@hotmail.com - 428 days ago.
Gday i have been suffering this painful problem for nearly 2 yrs this yr and trying to concieve 1 more baby before i have other options of removing my entire uterus. Has anyone else had severe problems and wat medication do u take?

peach - 430 days ago.
Yes, you can have endo and poly cystic ovarian syndrome. I have poly-cystic like ovaries, but do not meet the full criteria. I know it is possible to have both.

peach - 430 days ago.
I had endo. Had a laparoscopy to remove endo., along with cysts, fibroids, and adhesions. I even had a partial blockage in a Fallopian tube. That was four mos ago and now we are expecting! Have hope. My doctor also recommended the Dr. Weil anti inflammatory diet for endometriosis. I highly recommend it.

jjrhodes - 430 days ago.
chun_li425@hotmail.com - I also have LONG history of endometriosis ( first surgery in 2002) as well as other infertility issues and I have a very healthy 4 1/2 year old daughter as well as another on the way. My doc does recommend every 3 to 5 years doing a lapro to clean any endometriosis out however there are MANY women who do get pregnant with endometriosis and many who don't even know they have it. Do NOT give up hope, I am a prime example that you can get pregnant with endometriosis. As a matter of fact in May 2011 I had an ectopic pregnancy and my doc had to remove my left tube as well as he cleaned up some endometriosis and now I am 5 months pregnant with baby and I both doing well

chun_li425@hotmail.com - 431 days ago.
Hi I am a 24 year old woman and I have endometriosis. I have been with my partner for over 4 years. And we are trying for a baby. I have read up on it and I have had helica treatment. I'm very worried that I wont be able to become pregnant and with each period I have the thoughts are getting worse, is there anything I can do to help (other than relax lol) I just would like a positive spin on all this to get me back on my feet

synthiaw - 481 days ago.
Can you have endimetriouses as well as pcos?

ladypooh - 513 days ago.
Hi, I have just registered today on this website. I was browsing through, curious to read the comments of others that might have a similar problem to mine. I have been married for one year and was diagnosed with endometriosis 6 months ago and I had a laparoscopy done with removal of bilateral ovarian cysts. Other then the cysts and a small uterine fibroid, my doctor told me everything was fine, and that there was no reason why I should not concieve naturally. Every cycle since then, I timed my ovulation, took all the necessary precautions and went through all the feelings of anticipation and hope followed by frustration and sadness when my next menstrual cycle started. I know I have not been through this for years like others but I think I can still understand there pain. I myself am a doctor and preparing for my pHD but unfortunately, going through this emotional turmoil has left me feeling paralyzed and unable to concentrate or enjoy other aspects of my life. Today is the 27th day of my cycle and I am sitting here feeling all the usual symptoms of PMS and I have little hope of being pregnant. Doctor or not....I am a woman whose primary desire in life is to be a mother and nothing else could ever give me the same amount of joy...Can anyone plz give me some words of comfort?

cha ching - 554 days ago.
Oh where to begin? I have a fairly lengthy story, so I won't clog up this thread with it. I do need to get it off my chest in hopes someone will read it and give me some advice and encouraging words. Perhaps on my personal page... Anyway, I was diagnosed with endometriosis earlier this month. The thing that concerns me about it though was that my fertility specialist was able to diagnose me without having to do surgery. All he went by was the ultrasound he did in his office. He also went on to tell me that I have endometriosis grade 4. How can he know that without going in? I do have a cyst or fibroid on the right side of my pelvis... where it is exactly, I'm not sure. I was told by the ultrasound tech with my first ultrasound (before seeing my specialist) that the cyst or fibroid or whatever it is doesn't appear to be on the ovary. I don't experience any abdominal pain and my menstrual cramps are nothing more than a dull pain that I usually get the day before my cycle and the first day of my cycle. I'm so confused. How does he know that I have endo when he didn't even have a look inside with surgery?!

gator68 - 768 days ago.
I have been suffering from Endometriosis for 16 years at 22 a hysterectomy was reccomended... I refused and went on to have 2 more children. At 32 hysterectomy was recommended again. I begged the OBGYN I worked with not to do one unless there was no hope... He did explor lap and found one fallopian tube covered with 5 cysts wrapped in endometriosis... He removed the tube and continued working for 6 hours to remove tissue it was everywhere bladder, spine, intestines even the liver.. I can never thank him enough!!! I woke up with the least amount of pain in years I felt great!!! Walked out of the hopital... Later that afternoon my 3 yo jumped on my abdomin while I was napping... Tore the ovarian artery open... 11units of blood and 3 days in ICU.. I awoke still feeling better than before surgery... So here I am 6 years later and guess what 12 weeks pregnant with number 5!!! They said it wouldn't , couldn't happen......My new husband and I TTC for 4 months and here we are we also had a loss at 9 weeks 9 months ago so preg is possible with endometriosis... I will have the hysterectomy after this because the pain has become so severe and 10 day very heavy periods (2 boxes of tampons and 1 of pads) every month are too much to bare anymore... But there is hope after diagnosis and treatment...

TamaraHope - 815 days ago.
I was 'diagnosed' with endo at age 14. They didn't do a laparascopy, only an exam and an ultrasound, but due to family history and syptoms they never felt the need. I have always had irregular periods. I can go as long as 6 month with out one and they can last as long as 6 weeks. Bc helps to regulate them and helps with the sever pain as well. No women in my family has avoided a hysterectomy past the age of 35 in the last 4, 5 including mine, generations. I decided long ago I would have children young regaurdless of other factors in my life and got lucky that the man I was with at 17 was the love of my life. We had a boy with no complications even with my type 1 diabetis. After dealing with several cervical cysts we started trying almost a year ago. My gyn told me in November, due to bc no longer regulating my cycles, that he would likly no longer recommend pregnancy after another year we really upped the anti and I managed to concieve. Every case is different. The care you recieve makes a huge dfference. Not all stories of women with endo will have a happy ending but they are possible. If having a child/children is important to you then get proper care!

ZoeyLondon - 932 days ago.
I'm in tears while reading these post. It feels like I'm all alone struggling with Endo. Now I no that I'm not. All of the woman in my family had kids with no problems. Also all of my friends have kids. So no one understands my pain. I never thought in a million yrs I would have this much trouble having a baby *tear*. Reading these post gives me hope. I already had one surgery removing 3 cysts. Now my doctor believes if he remove my left clod tube I will be able to conceive. My heart is heavy but I have faith in GOD. Don't give up Ladies i'll keep y'all in my prayers. I no its hard I cry my self to sleep many of nights. But I can't give up I no one day I will hold my lil girl in my arms.

britmoncivais - 964 days ago.
Its so crazy to sit here and read about all these women who tried for 2 mos and got pregnant with endometriosis. I guess I say its CRAZY because I am 23, been married for 5 years (yes I was 18) and we got pregnant with our first little girl just 3 mos after we were married. well in June of 08, I got off birth control because obviously we wanted another. After having just unexplainable bouts of pain and to the point I would be on the floor...I went to a dr. What's worse is I was told I had P.I.D. (pelvic inflammatory disease) so I was pretty upset to say the least. But, it didn't make sense. so we went out of town to another dr. He said, that the two do have the same symptoms... he was concerned I had endo. well.... to make a long story short...I had my first surgery Oct 08 which did infact confirm that I had endometriosis. well, much to my suprise, My family and I were on vacation in March of 09 in Tn at the moutains.. and I was supposed to have my cycle. Well I never did. I was really hopeful and when I got back to work on March 23 2009...I got 3 positive pregnancy tests. TALK ABOUT ECSTATIC!!!!!!!!!!!! But, unfortanately...I was only able to enjoy 13 weeks of that wonderful pregnancy... the baby had no heartbeat at my 13 week appointment. Well..I had another surgery in Sept 09... and another in March of 10... and HERE IT IS...Oct 2010... much over a year since we lost our precious baby... and going on 3 years of ttc.. and still no baby. I tried Lupron (altho it eased the pain for a minute...it has HORRIBLE effects.) I've tried surgeries... and now I'm going to a specialist on Oct 11. It is horrible to feel like your a failure because you can't give your husband what you feel like your supposed to give him. It has taken a toll on me phsycially and emotionally. And I just want someone to really convince me there is hope.

endoandpregnant - 991 days ago.
Hi everyone, I am posting this message as a very happy mother to be!!! I have endometriosis and have suffered with this since I was 13. Two years after I started menstrating, I would become almost parylyzed with pain when I had my period, my mother took me to the doctor and was told that it was just severe cramping and was prescribed naproxen. This just dulled the pain a little and for years I was on many different medications for the pain. I have always had regular periods (cycle and flow) except for the pain. When I was 23 I had the worst episode to date and felt like I was dying, and if I could have gotten off the chair I was sitting in I would have called 911. After that episode I decided to advocate for myself and demanded to see a gynecologist. I have since had the laprascopy to diagnose the endometriosis and a laprotomy to carterize the endo. Which was 11 years ago. Unfortunately the doctor said I still have endo on my intestines and gave me the option of another surgery, but with the complications in dealing with the intesines I declined. I was also told then that if I wanted children we should start trying right away. Of course my husband and I were not ready at the time. So four years ago we decided that we wanted to start trying and we had been unsuccessful. I did not seek outside help as I wasn't in a place to accept it if I could not have children. Then this year at 33 and going to turn 34 in a few moths I decided that it's now or never and we had to seek out professional help. On June 18, 2010 I had my first appointment with my new gynecologist and was told that I should have a 'second' look surgery to see what is going on with the endo, so I was refered back to the fertility clinic that did the cauterization of the endo. To our surprise on July 16, 2010 after not starting my period (I'm like clockwork) I took a pregnancy test and it was POSITIVE!!!!!! So 21 years after having the first symptoms of endo and two surgeries for it; I am PREGNANT!!!! Don't loose hope ladies, relax avoid stress and if you have been trying for 6 months and have been diagnosed with endo most doctors will refer you to a fertility clinic as there are other complications!!!! Love to all who have endo and are trying to conceive, I am sending all of my hope to you.

LeianimalM - 1059 days ago.
Hi Everyone! I'm so glad there is a forum on here for Endo because I've suffered for almost 10 years now with it and I'm hoping that this post can give hope to so many of you that are scared/worried/pessimistic about whether you will ever get pregnant. I sufferend from sever bladder infections all the time and was going to the dr almost every other month for antibiotics and finally when I was 18 I was diagnosed with a tumor that was wrapped around my left ovary about the size of an orange and several large cysts in my uterus. I had surgery right away and while they were in there they discovered that I had sever endo that had spread to my bladder. They removed what they could but were very concerned with what functionality my ovary after this tumor had been basically suffocating it for so long not to mention the cancer scare involved. The tumor turned out benign but the endo really had done some damage and I had a second surgery about a year later. I following all the treatments including Depo-Lupron (which I would NEVER do again and don't particularly recommend it as a treatment option for anyone- i feel it did more damage to me than the endo itself). After years of wondering if I would ever be able to conceive I'm happy to announce that I am 7 weeks pregnant and could not possibly be more excited! It's a hard disease and really takes a toll on you mentally and I dreaded the possibility of not being able to have a baby with my husband. He knew it was possible when we got married and everything and said we would adopt or whatever if there was trouble but it meant so much to both of us to be able to have our own. Don't lose hope. It can definitely happen for you. The human body is an amazing thing and will-power and hope can really go a long way. Good luck to all of you and I hope this brief story can add some positivity to someone's life out here!

baby-beiler - 1067 days ago.
alright ladies... i cant take this anymore... i was diagnosed with endometriosis not too long ago... in march i think it was and i was on BC to stop ovulations for three months but now i am taking it regularly and i want to cry... The whole week of my cycle i have cramps and migraines... I can hardly get off the couch.. What works for you? I already had a laproscopy test done in march and it is only june... message me on my page with suggestions okay thanks!

joejoe - 1096 days ago.
Hi Ladies.. hope everyone is relatively pain free :-) I'm 31 (32 in august) and have suffered with endo for years, finally got dx nearly 10 years ago. I've never fell pregnant, but then i've never been in a steady enough relationship to warrant trying for a baby. In february this year i had my 5th operation.. i've had 4 laparoscopies and this one was laparotomy to seperate my bowel, womb and left ovary from the endo. I've previously had the tube dye test which said all was ok.. so now i'm with a my partner who i've been with for a year.. we're going to start trying. Have been offered IVF already.. but want to try naturally for a while x

sarahjay - 1105 days ago.
I got endometriosis after my c section in september of 2007. Just found out im pregnant! :) do not lose hope.

huncitygirl - 1119 days ago.
I have Endometriosis and PCOS. I had two surgeries to remove tissue and cysts. They were very painful and I was told that conceiving might never happen. My Gyno told me that it would at least take up to a year to conceive. Well guess what ladies!!!! Two months after trying we got pregnant!!! We have totally beat the odds and both the doctor and my Gyno can't believe how fast it happened. It is a miracle! So as bad as it may seem it is possible to lead a normal life! Good luck to all out there dealing with this terrible disease.

colettejane - 1212 days ago.
Fairykie, Hi I suffer from endometriosis also for nearly 2 years I got it a year after having a c-section. The doc told me that i would probably never get pregnant and I was trying for 7 months and that they would put me on fertility drugs in feb and give me a d&c Dec (i had been bleeding for 3 months) just gone to see would that improve things but about a week beforehand discovered that i was pregnant. What a miracle, they scanned me at 6wks and 8wks to make sure that it was taking properly. Yes you can get pregnant but was told it will be a tough road as I am totally exhausted, my immune system very low will pick up everything and I may get pain as my abdomen grows due to scarring but it will be worth it. so best of luck to you just keep trying and praying (its amazing how religious you turn if you want something bad enough)

fairykie - 1222 days ago.
I just read this piece on Endometriosis......please tell me there is some ppl that actually doget pregnant while having this problem? I'm very new to this site and thought that joining would set my mind at ease, but now after reading this, im even more afraid that I wont be able to conceive because I have Endometriosis.

raabstaci - 1320 days ago.
Cutiepie82- I had a laparoscopy and it took me about 4days to heel all the way. I also just had an hsc thats the test where the inject die into you and I left work and came back right after.

Cutiepie82 - 1321 days ago.
I'm having a laparascopy in 2 1/2 weeks, they are also looking in my uterus and putting a dye through my fallopian tube to see if there are blockages. Am nervous about it, also could anyone tell me how long does it take to recover? can i go back to work the day after? Not sure if i have endometriosis yet, that's what they are checking for, my grandmother has it and i have all the symptoms, have been with my husband for 3 years, never used protection, have been actively trying for about 10 cycles with no sucess. Was excited with TTC, but now i can't help but feel dissapointed

happymommytobe! - 1323 days ago.
Llamakeeper- that was also the trick for me! i was told i had endo when i was only 18, I had laprascopy and hoped for the best. they told me the sooner i try the better. i had been with my boyfriend for 3 years by then adn we were leaving together but in no way were we ready for a family! so i stayed on continuous BC to stop my periods. we got married about 15 months ago and started trying in march and got pregnant in about 2 1/2 months. i hope the symptoms of endo dont come back to bad! i'm dreading it. when i came off BC i thought i was going to die. thank god we got pregnant quick or I probably would have gotten another surgery.