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Endometriosis - Diagnosis & Treatment
Jan 27, 2009
Endometriosis - Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
The only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis is with a biopsy. This is usually done during a type of surgery called a laparoscopy. During the procedure, the doctor uses a small telescope-like tube called a laparoscope to look for signs of endometriosis on the outside of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Although endometrial growths are not usually cancerous, endometriosis has “stages” like cancers. The four stages of endometriosis are based on the number, location, and depth of the lesions in the pelvic organs:
- Stage I (minimal): only superficial lesions
- Stage II (mild): more lesions and slightly deeper lesions
- Stage III (moderate): deep lesions and small cysts on one or both ovaries
- Stage IV (severe): extensive lesions; large, deep lesions and cysts; large cysts on one or both ovaries
Treatment
Although there is no cure for endometriosis, there are a variety of treatment options. Treatment may provide pain relief, stop the progression of the disease, and preserve or restore fertility. The type of treatment recommended depends on whether or not you want to get pregnant. If your only concern is to reduce the pain and bleeding, taking hormone medication will stop ovulation and shrink the lesions. However, this therapy also prevents pregnancy.
A laparoscopy is a good choice for women who plan to get pregnant or who are having problems getting pregnant. During laparoscopy the physician can cut out and remove adhesions and scar tissue that may be causing pain or infertility or use a laser beam or electric current to destroy them, as well as remove a cyst found on an ovary.
The symptoms of endometriosis usually improve if you become pregnant.
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i know how it feels.... in like 6 1/2 years i have had 4 laproscopic surgeries.
my duaghter is16 yrs old. she is diagonised with endometriosis. taking hormon pills but can she do to relieve the pain. any ideas will be helpful
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My best friend has had endometriosis since she was sixteen and I was just recently diagnosed at 22. I have severe symptoms since the disease has progressed untreated for a long time. Her doctor may suggest the depo-provera shot as a way of pain relief. It is a form of Birth Control that has many serious side effects and takes months to leave your body once you are injected so I would highly reccomend that she not ever go that route. My friend had an allergic reaction and had to deal with the reaction for over 3 months. It also causes bone loss especially in teens. There is an IUD that is progestin based and will help relieve the pain the same way the shot would. It however is a low dose un-like the shot and or/ pill form. It does not distribute the hormones throughout the body, it stays only in the reproductive organs. I just got one after doing ALOT of research. I prefer to treat things naturally but this seemed like the best option. It has helped with the pain quite a bit. I don't know if this will help your daughter at her age right now, but once she gets older it is the best birth control option for someone with enfometriosis. I hope this helps.
I was told when I was twenty that I had endometriosis, I am now twenty two and wanting to have a child. I dont know how or where to start in the process. Me and my boyfriend have been trying for months and all we keep getting are negatives, can anyone give me any ideas.
Thank you for any help!
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