Handling Endometriosis and Pregnancy - Incurable But Pregnancy Remains 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 a woman's period, the uterine lining will normally slough off; however the part that grows outside the uterus will remain. During ovulation and menstruation, the uterual tissue growing externally is aggravated continuously. It can get torn, break down and bleed. This often leads to the formation of kelloidal tissue and causes discomfort.
The Endometriosis Research Center says that there are more than 7 million recorded cases of endometriosis among women in the United States. It is a leading cause of infertility, gynecologic surgeries and chronic pelvic pain.
What Leads To Endometriosis?
Presently, the cause of endometriosis remains unknown, but experts have suggested a few possible reasons. 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 may also experience pain during sexual intercourse and ovulation, painful bowel movements and gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea and constipation. Endometriosis can result to infertility, in severe cases.
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. It this does not work, one may need to take prescription drugs.
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 types of medications include GnRH agonists, oral contraceptives, and progesterone drugs. Hormone therapy is normally recommended for those who have been through 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 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 common and more popular natural treatments are acupuncture, Chinese medicaine, and nutrition-based programs like 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.
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