ENDOMETRIOSIS

ENDOMETRIOSIS & FERTILITY

Women who are suffering from endometriosis have tissue from the uterine lining that implants itself in places other than the uterus. The reproductive hormones in a woman’s body are believed to increase the growth of endometriosis. This can cause a wide variety of symptoms including: intense menstrual cramps, painful intercourse, infertility, and much more.

The diagnosis of endometriosis is generally quite complicated, and requires sophisticated testing. The good news is that there are several available treatments for endometriosis, including hormonal therapies that provide long-acting progesterone that suppresses the hormonal surges that aggravate the tissue growth and cause bleeding and pain. And, while complete remission of endometriosis is rarely permanent, a personalized treatment plan by a integrative, holistic doctor like Dr. Ruthie Harper can help alleviate painful symptoms while addressing the condition’s impact on fertility.

If you are suffering from the pain and frustration of endometriosis, Dr. Harper is here to offer you the holistic medical support you need to naturally balance your body so that you are in the best position to have a successful pregnancy.

Diagnosing Endometriosis

The diagnosis of endometriosis is often quite difficult. These fertility issues can be indicators of endometriosis, and their presence means you should be tested.

• A luteal phase that is normal in length but shows low body temperatures indicating lower than normal progesterone levels during the luteal phase.

• Short cycles (<27 days) with long periods (>8 days).

• Almost no days of wet cervical fluid or even dry days during the cycle.

The “golden standard” in testing for endometriosis is laparoscopic examination of the tissue. This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the abdominal wall to view the organs and tissues in the abdomen.

A “near contact” laparoscopy is best because tiny endometrial cells can often only be seen at a greatly magnified level.

Women with endometriosis may want to consider trying to conceive earlier rather than later in their life, because this condition is difficult to treat, treatment outcomes can be unpredictable, and the condition may worsen over time.

Treating Endometriosis

Treatment options for endometriosis can include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce pain but have no effect on reducing the endometriosis itself.

• Hormonal birth control can prevent the production of hormones in a woman’s body associated with a normal menstrual cycle, and thus the growth of endometriosis. Birth control pills can also decrease the bleeding that may cause pain. Obviously, birth control pills cannot be used while a woman is trying to get pregnant.

• Medications called “gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists” reduce a woman’s reproductive hormones, essentially putting her into menopause while she is taking them. This treatment also cannot be used by a woman trying to get pregnant. Because this treatment essentially creates menopause, all of the symptoms of menopause can occur with this treatment, including: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbance, and decreased libido.

• Laparoscopic Surgery should only be considered to treat endometriosis when other measures have failed and symptoms are unrelenting and severe. Treatment to remove the endometriosis tissue can be performed during laparoscopy by a skilled physician to lessen risks of scarring. This procedure should be performed before ovulation in a woman’s cycle if at all possible as this is believed to lessen the chance of recurrence of endometriosis after treatment.