by Jennifer Kirkman

Created on: September 30, 2009

Endometriosis is a female disorder where the endometrium not only grows on the uterus, but other places in the female organs as well. It also favors the ovaries, pelvic tissue linings, and fallopian tubes. With each menstrual cycle, the endometrial keeps on building up instead of shedding as it should. This tissue as time goes on causes much irritation and a lot of pelvic pain as the main symptoms.

This trapped tissue after awhile can also form cysts, adhesions, and scar tissue. Eventually, the female organs all become bound together. This is one main cause of infertility issues.

Common symptoms are the pelvic pain as I mentioned, severe menstrual cycles, and infertility. A woman also has pain during intercourse with endometriosis. This condition is not only more painful over time, but becomes very disabling.

Diagnosing endometriosis is first done with a regular pelvic examination. This however, is not definitive and areas where there are implantations cannot be felt usually.

Ultrasound that uses the transvaginal method may help the doctor a little bit, but is still not definitive. While a wand is placed into the vaginal area, the pelvic organs are seen, and cysts can be detected this way. If cysts are seen, it may also mean you have endometriosis.

Unfortunately, the only real way to tell is through a laparascopy surgery. This is a minor procedure, though before having it done, you are placed under general anesthesia. The doctor will then take a special needle and place it into your stomach. The needle will blow up your abdominal area using carbon dioxide. After that, there will have to be a small cut done on your abdomen to insert the laparoscope. This gives the doctor the ability to see everything clearly, looking for adhesions, scars, implants, and cysts.

Once endometriosis is discovered, you will have the options before you of what to do. There are treatment options that don't require a hysterectomy unless the condition is really severe and disabling.

Depo-Provera is an injection given every three months which places a stop on endometriosis since menstrual periods cease. So with periods out of the way, it doesn't give the implants a chance to multiply any further.

Surgery can be done where implants are removed without having a hysterectomy, if not too severe. Implants are destroyed via a laser that destroys the implants, or by use of what is a cautery tool. A cautery tool uses some heat to destroy built up endometrial tissue.

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