Endometriosis Treatment

Endometriosis is a medical condition, wherein the cells that are normally found in the intra-uterine lining grow on organs outside the uterus. The most prone location for endometriosis is the ovaries, followed by the fallopian tubes and the organs in the pelvis. Even the tissue lining the pelvis may develop this condition, which is usually found in women within age group of 25 to 50. In some cases, the condition does not require treatment and subsides on its own, but, others require treatment. Endometriosis treatment is mainly aimed at alleviating the symptoms, or for remedying fertility problems.

What is Endometriosis

The cells of the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) are usually shed during menstruation. In case of endometriosis too, these cells that grow outside the uterus, continues with their normal monthly cycle. They thicken, rupture and bleed every month, during menstruation. But, these displaced tissues do not have an exit, as in case of uterus and so, they get trapped, resulting in symptoms, that may range between mild to severe. Endometriosis is a painful condition, which produces symptoms like painful menstruation, excess menstrual bleeding, painful intercourse and infertility. The affected women may also experience pain with urination and bowel movements during periods and intermittent pelvic pain too. However, the symptoms may vary from one women to another.

While there is no definite cause for this condition, retrograde menstruation is said to be a possible cause. It happens, when menstrual blood enters the pelvic cavity, through the fallopian tubes. There, the endometrial cells attach to other organs or cavity lining, causing endometriosis.

Endometriosis Treatment Options

As of now, there is no cure for endometriosis. Treatment is aimed at managing symptoms, or to slow down the growth and spread of endometrial cells at locations other than uterus, or for improving fertility. In some mild cases, wait and watch policy is said to be best, if the condition is not causing much discomfort and if there are no fertility problems. So, the mode of treatment is decided as per the age of the woman, fertility problems, severity of symptoms. Diagnosis of this condition is done through laparoscopy, which facilitates a visual inspection of the pelvic and abdominal cavity. Even tissue samples can be taken for biopsy. Once the condition is diagnosed as endometriosis, treatment can start. In general, treatment is done with pain medication, hormone therapy or surgery.

Treatment For Alleviating Pain: If the woman does not have any plans to get pregnant in the near future, but, wants a treatment for endometriosis pain relief, then, the following are some of the available options. In such cases, pain and related discomfort can be remedied with NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs) that reduce pain, bleeding and inflammation. Hormonal contraceptives are also used for treating endometriosis patients with mild symptoms. These hormones, as found in birth control pills and patches, help in alleviating pain, as it shrink the endometrial cells. It is said that birth control hormones are also effective in controlling the condition from worsening.

It may happen that, those with severe symptoms of endometriosis do not respond to the above said treatment. In such cases, other types of stronger hormone therapy are recommended. This include gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a), progestin, progestin intrauterine device, danazol, or aromatase inhibitors. In some cases, the above said stronger hormone therapies may not work. Such women require surgery as endometriosis treatment. Surgery is also done in women with very severe symptoms. Surgery can be done to remove the endometrial growths or scars or include removal of uterus (hysterectomy) and ovaries.

Treatment for Infertility: In women with infertility problems due to endometriosis, treatment can be little bit complicated. Mild cases of endometriosis may not require treatment, but, moderate to severe ones may need treatment to improve their chances of getting pregnant. In such cases, surgery is a treatment option for endometrial growths. The endometrial cells, as well as scar tissues (especially, on the ovaries and fallopian tubes) are removed surgically, so as to improve the chances of getting pregnant. Other treatment options include In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), artificial insemination and medication for promoting ovulation. Even though, hormonal treatment is avoided in women, who are planning to get pregnant, it is said that a short-period of hormonal therapy followed by the above said treatment for fertility, may improve the chances of getting pregnant.

Treatment is not usually required for mild cases, as well as those who are reaching menopause. Even pregnancy improves the symptoms associated with this condition. Some women resort to natural treatment like aromatherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal remedies, but, there is no scientific backing to prove the effectiveness of such treatment. So, you can discuss with a doctor and decide the right endometriosis treatment for you.