Endometriosis is a disease that affects many women, but few people know about it for some reason. If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, you may be feeling frustrated or scared. You might not know what to do next or how to cope with the pain, but don’t worry, Endometriosis specialists in Jackson Heights will help make living with endometriosis easier and more manageable. These experts in endometriosis in Jackson Heights will provide a lot of information on the condition.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus grows outside of it. The most common symptom is pain, particularly during your period, but many women also experience pain at other times during their monthly cycle, or before they get their periods. Some people refer to endometriosis as “the silent disease” because it often goes undetected until many later stages when scar tissue has built up and caused significant damage.
Endometriosis affects an estimated one in ten women of reproductive age, making it one of the most common gynecological disorders. Because there is currently no cure for endometriosis, treatment focuses on managing symptoms. However, the only way to treat endometriosis is by excising (removing) or ablating (burning) it. The most effective treatment involves removing as much of the endometrial tissue as possible using a laser.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
The most common symptom of endometriosis is pain, particularly during your period. The pain may be dull or sharp and can occur in your lower abdomen, back, and pelvic area. Other symptoms include:
- irregular periods or heavy bleeding
- cramps that are worse than normal menstrual cramps
- pain during or after sex
Which Are the Common Causes?
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, but research suggests that it may be related to problems with the immune system. The immune system’s job is to identify foreign substances and attack them.
In people with endometriosis, cells similar to those in the uterine lining travel through the body and attach themselves to other organs or tissues. Endometriosis also seems to be related to genetics. If your mother or sister has endometriosis, you are more likely to develop it too. Other possible causes include:
- retrograde menstruation, a condition in which menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus
- inflammation
- some forms of contraception, such as an intrauterine device or birth control pills
- estrogen-like chemicals in the environment
What is the Procedure for Endometriosis Treatment?
Surgery is the primary treatment for endometriosis. Depending on your symptoms and the extent of your disease, you may have surgery to remove endometrial tissue from your uterus, ovaries, and other organs. The most effective treatment involves removing as much of the endometrial tissue as possible using a laser.
There are two main types of surgery for endometriosis:
- laparoscopic surgery, which is done through small incisions in your abdomen
- open surgery, which is done through a larger incision in your abdomen
Laparoscopic surgery is the most common type of surgery for endometriosis. A small telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope is inserted through one incision in this procedure. The laparoscope can view your abdomen’s inside and remove any endometrial tissue.
If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, don’t panic. There are treatments available that will help make living with the disease manageable and easier on your body. All you need is to work closely with an endometriosis specialist to identify your symptoms and offer a treatment plan specifically tailored to your needs.