Pregnancy and Endometriosis – Incurable But Pregnancy Possible
Pregnancy and Endometriosis - Background
Endometriosis is a condition where tissues normally lining a woman’s uterus grow or attach to organs located outside. During the menstrual period itself, the uterual lining normally sheds by itself but the part that grows outside of the uterus stays. Throughout the ovulation to menstruation phase, the uterual tissue becomes constantly provoked. It could tear, break and bleed. This aggravation causes the formation of scar tissue and produces discomfort.
There are over 7 million reported cases of endometriosis among females in the US, according to the Endometriosis Research Center. It is a leading cause of infertility, gynecologic surgeries and chronic pelvic pain.
What Causes Endometriosis?
Currently, the reason for the occurrence of endometriosis is still not known, but experts propose several possible causes. Latest studies conducted on the condition suggest that it may be genetically-influenced.
Symptoms
Symptoms of endometriosis include lower back pain, chronic pain the pelvis, painful menstruation (dysmenorrheal), fatigue and irregular or labored breathing. Women can also expect to feel some pain while ovulating or having sexual intercourse, painful bowel movements, and GI tract conditions like diarrhea, constipation, or bloating. In worse cases, endometriosis may result in infertility.
Diagnosis
The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Similar diagnostic tests like CAT scans, MRIs, or ultrasound do not usually bear conclusive results. A healthcare practitioner needs to look into the signs and symptoms, as well as the patient’s medical history. To diagnose the condition, the doctor may conduct a laparoscopic procedure or a laparotomy.
There remains no cure to endometriosis, but physicians suggest some modes of therapy that would help the patient manage it.
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 no effect is evident, prescription medications could be the next step.
Hormonal Drug Therapy
Hormone drugs can be used to block a patient’s ovulation. The objective here is to prevent further aggravation of the lesions and guard against the onset of other symptoms. These drugs cover GnRH agonists, progesterone drugs, and oral contraceptives. Hormone therapy is used especially for patients who have undergone surgery.
Surgery
Doctors would usually conduct conservative surgical procedures like a laparotomy or a laparoscopy to find out the nature of the disease and to remove unusual growths found. If successful, this will eliminate pain and improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.
If conservative surgery is not effective, doctors may recommend hysterectomy and/or other, more invasive, surgical methods.
Alternative/Natural Therapy
A lot of patients opt to undergo natural types of treatment over surgery and medications. Common alternative treatments would include acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and nutritional programs such as herbs for fertility. There is a large amount of literature that supports the use of natural treatments as a wellness tool that can also stimulate the body’s innate defense system and healing action.
Tags: endometriosis and pregnancy, endometriosis cure, herbs for fertility