Pregnancy and Endometriosis - Incurable But Pregnancy Possible
Endometriosis & Pregnancy - Background
Endometriosis is described as a condition that arises when the tissues that normally line the uterine walls attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus or grow. During the menstrual period itself, the uterual lining normally sheds by itself but the part that grows outside of the uterus stays. During ovulation and menstruation, the uterual tissue growing externally is aggravated continuously. It could tear, break and bleed. This is likely to cause scar tissue formation and some discomfort.
More than seven million females in the United States have endometriosis, says the Endometriosis Research Center. It is a key cause of gynecologic surgeries, chronic pelvin discomfort, and infertility.
What Leads To Endometriosis?
To date, endometriosis has no identified cause, although experts do note several potential explanations. Studies to date indicate that the condition may be hereditary.
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 severe cases, endometriosis can lead to infertility.
Diagnosis
The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other diagnostic exams like MRIs, ultrasound, or CAT scans are usually inconclusive. 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.
Endometriosis still has no cure, however, doctors recommend that certain modes of treatment be applied to help 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 would be to prevent further provocation of the lesions and to shield onself against the onset of related symptoms. These types of drugs include oral contraceptives, progesterone medications, and GnRH agonists. Hormone therapy is normally recommended for those who have been through surgery.
Surgery
Conservative surgical procedures such as the laparotomy and laparoscopy are conducted by doctors to determine the diagnosis and to remove abnormal growths. If this succeeds, it could help eliminate the pain and even raise the woman's chances of conceiving.
If conservative surgery is not effective, doctors may recommend hysterectomy and/or other, more invasive, surgical methods.
Alternative/Natural Therapy
A lot of patients prefer alternative or natural treatments against surgical procedures and medications. Some of the more popular alternative treatments include Chinese medicine, acupuncture and nutritional therapies such as natural 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.
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