Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where the glands and tissue that normally are found inside the lining of the uterus, are located outside the uterus. During a woman's menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus thickens as it gets ready to nourish an embryo that will ultimately grow into a baby. If no embryo is formed, the lining will come off causing bleeding and a period happens.

One theory about the cause of endometriosis is that some of the cells or tissue from menstruation travel back through the fallopian tubes and implant on other organs or areas inside the pelvis. During each menstrual cycle, the areas of endometriosis grow and respond to the hormones just like they would in the uterus. If they implant on the ovary, they can grow to form cysts. This can be very painful around the time of a woman's period.

Areas of endometriosis may be called implants, nodules or lesions.

What kind of pain does endometriosis cause?

Endometriosis can cause severe pain that affects pelvic organs and surrounding structures. Some women have constant pain, or pain may happen during or after:

• Sexual intercourse
• Urination
• Bowel movements
• Menstrual periods

Areas of endometriosis may release small amounts of blood, which is believed to cause irritation wherever it lands in the pelvis, and may lead to pain and cramps.

Endometriosis symptoms

Other endometriosis symptoms include infertility, heavy menstrual periods, fatigue and lack of energy.

Some women have fewer endometriosis symptoms after a pregnancy or menopause. There aren’t any explanations for why this happens, and endometriosis pain may come back later.

What are the stages of endometriosis?

Endometriosis is assigned a stage based on several factors. The stages of endometriosis are:

I. Minimal
II. Mild
III. Moderate
IV. Severe

The level of pain you feel doesn’t depend on the stage of your endometriosis.

Endometriosis treatments

Many patients with endometriosis symptoms do very well with medications. If surgery for endometriosis treatment is required, the areas of endometriosis can be removed by burning, laser vaporization, cauterization or surgical removal. Because the depth of endometriosis lesions can be difficult to detect, we don't just burn or cauterize the surface.

Although surgically removing the endometriosis implants is more difficult, we believe that patients do better when all the implants are removed. This is especially true for patients who have had prior surgery for endometriosis.

Kevin Stepp, MD, is specifically trained in advanced laparoscopy to remove all endometriosis while minimizing risk to the delicate structures of the pelvic anatomy and preserving fertility.