New Treatment Helps Women Cope
With Endometriosis

Millions of menstruating women have a common gynecological problem called endometriosis. This condition occurs when the lining of the uterus -- called the endometrium -- grows in other areas of the body. Most commonly, endometrial tissue will implant in the organs of the pelvis, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, rectum and bowel.

"Endometrial tissue responds to hormones during the menstrual cycle. Hormones cause the lining of the uterus to thicken, break down and shed during menstruation," says Sharon Day, MD, an OB/GYN on staff at Wellington Regional Medical Center who completed a three-year fellowship in endometriosis. "The hormones affect endometrial lesions growing outside the uterus in the same way, but since the blood that flows often can’t exit the body, the tissue continues to grow and cause problems in these areas."

Why Me?

Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes endometriosis, but they do know that women with a family history of the condition are much more likely to develop it.

Some women with endometriosis have no symptoms. Others experience uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms, including:

• Heavy menstrual periods
• Painful menstrual cramps
• Persistent pain in the pelvis or back
• Spotting or bleeding between periods
• Pain during or after intercourse
• Painful bowel movements or urination when menstruating
• Infertility

Symptoms usually diminish when women are pregnant, but can return after they give birth.

"Endometriosis can be devastating," says Dr. Day. "Some women have such severe symptoms that it affects their ability to work, sleep and perform their normal daily activities. It’s also a major cause of infertility."

Treatment Can Make a Difference

There's hope for women with endometriosis. Some women find that pain medication helps relieve their symptoms. Hormone therapy may help shrink the tissue outside the uterus and prevent the endometriosis from getting worse. Women who have extensive disease, extreme pain or infertility may benefit from noninvasive surgical treatments.

"Endometriosis lesion ablation is a new technique that is effective for most women," Dr. Day says. "In this procedure, the physician makes a small incision in the abdomen, inserts a laparoscope and uses a laser to burn and destroy abnormal tissue."

In severe cases, doctors may recommend the removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy).

What You Can Do

Don't dismiss symptoms of endometriosis as a normal part of menstruating. Your doctor can perform imaging tests or a laparoscopic procedure to diagnose your condition. If you have endometriosis, your doctor can recommend treatments that may relieve your symptoms and improve your fertility.

After menopause, symptoms may subside or resolve. However, medical management or surgical intervention may be necessary in cases where endometriosis is more advanced.

For more information about endometriosis, please visit www.wellingtonregional.com and click on Health Information.

Sharon Day, MD, an OB/GYN specialist, has joined the practice of Drs. Pliskow, Tomaselli and Ackerman of Advanced Women’s Healthcare, with offices in Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach. In addition to Dr. Day’s expertise in well-women’s healthcare, she has a strong interest in alternative medicine -- a holistic approach that treats physical, mental and spiritual issues as they impact women’s health. Dr. Day is a member of the American Medical Association. For an appointment, please call 561-683-1331.

Wellington Regional Medical Center, 10101 Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 798-9880