Endometriosis

Whether you’re looking for relief from painful periods or struggling to get pregnant with endometriosis, we can help.

Endometriosis is a common condition in which tissue similar to the lining of your uterus also grows outside your uterus (e.g., in your ovaries, fallopian tubes or the lining inside your pelvis). This can cause pain, heavy periods and difficulty getting pregnant, among other problems.

Although there isn’t a cure for endometriosis, there are many treatment options that can offer relief from the condition. The women’s health experts at MU Health Care will work with you to find the best options for you.

Endometriosis Symptoms

Some of the most common endometriosis symptoms include:

Pelvic or lower back pain before or during your period
Pain during sex
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Bleeding between periods
Discomfort during bowel movements
Difficulty getting pregnant

When to Seek Care for Endometriosis

If you have any of these endometriosis symptoms, talk to your OB/GYN or primary care provider. Besides causing uncomfortable symptoms, endometriosis can cause scar tissue that affects your fertility.

How We Diagnose Endometriosis

Because endometriosis can be confused with other conditions, it’s important to see an expert if you have symptoms. At MU Health Care, our endometriosis specialists offer a full range of diagnostic options to help you get an accurate diagnosis.

After discussing your health history, our team will perform a pelvic exam to feel your abdomen for cysts or scars. We may also recommend one or more of the following:

Ultrasound, which provides images of your reproductive organs and can help identify any cysts or scarring.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which provides more detailed images of your pelvic organs.
Blood tests, which check for hormones linked to endometriosis.
Laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgery in which our team collects a tissue sample through small incisions in your abdomen.

Using these tests, our experts will confirm whether you have endometriosis and what stage. Endometriosis stages depend on the size, location and number of tissue growths. Stage 1 is the mildest, and stage 4 the most severe.

It’s important to know what stage you have, because different treatments may work better at different stages.

How We Treat Endometriosis

MU Health Care offers a variety of nonsurgical and surgical treatment options to help you manage endometriosis symptoms. After discussing your symptoms and any plans you may have to get pregnant, we will create a personalized treatment plan.

Nonsurgical Treatments for Endometriosis

We offer a full range of treatments to help you get your endometriosis symptoms under control, including:

Pain medications: Over-the-counter and prescription pain medications may reduce your pain and discomfort.
Hormone therapy: By regulating the hormones that promote tissue growth, hormone therapy may relieve pain and stop endometriosis from getting worse. ·
Hormonal contraceptives: Birth control pills, patches or vaginal rings can slow or stop monthly endometrial tissue growth. This often reduces pain in mild or moderate endometriosis.

Surgical Treatments for Endometriosis

If medications and hormonal therapies do control your symptoms, our women’s health team may recommend surgery. Whenever possible, our gynecologic surgeons use minimally invasive techniques that offer a faster recovery compared with traditional surgery.

Surgeries for endometriosis include:

Excision surgery: During this procedure, your gynecologic surgeon will carefully remove endometriosis growths through small incisions. This can reduce your symptoms without damaging your uterus or other reproductive organs.
Hysterectomy: As a last resort, you and your care team may decide a hysterectomy is a good option to stop your symptoms. During a hysterectomy, your gynecologic surgeon removes your uterus. They may also remove your ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and any endometrial tissue. A hysterectomy is irreversible, and you’ll no longer be able to become pregnant.

Trying to Get Pregnant with Endometriosis

It is possible to get pregnant with endometriosis, but it can be more challenging when the stage is more severe. If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis or have unexplained fertility problems, our fertility specialists can help.