Endometriosis is a chronic and often misunderstood condition affecting millions of women worldwide. This condition can have a profound impact on various aspects of their lives. If you suspect you may have endometriosis or have already been diagnosed, it is crucial to seek expert medical guidance.
At Maiden Lane Medical, our team of dedicated specialists combines cutting-edge diagnostics with compassionate care to diagnose endometriosis accurately. We offer a range of personalized treatment options tailored to your unique needs, helping you navigate this complex condition and optimize your quality of life.
Whether you are experiencing painful periods, infertility concerns, or other symptoms associated with endometriosis, our experienced physicians and clinicians are here to support you at every stage.
Don’t let endometriosis define your life—take control of your health and seek the expert care you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Endometriosis causes your endometrium—the tissue that lines your uterus every month that you then shed during your menstrual cycle—to develop on organs and tissue outside of your womb or pelvic cavity.
Most of the time, the misplaced endometriosis tissue grows on other reproductive organs like your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the outside of your uterus. It can also grow on other pelvic organs like your bladder and bowel. Rarely, endometriosis can develop on your spine or other organs.
The endometrium itself can cause severe pain and other painful symptoms, and it can cause scarring, which contributes to pelvic pain and painful intercourse and can interfere with your fertility.
WHAT AGE DOES ENDOMETRIOSIS START?
Endometriosis can cause problems at any age.
Consider a hypothetical young woman who has recently reached puberty. She’s been through sex ed and knows that her menstrual periods may be irregular, to begin with, and that cramps are normal. But her cramps are excruciating and make her want to stay home from school.
The cramps also occur throughout the month, even when her next period is weeks away. Fortunately, her mother, who recognizes the symptoms, makes her an appointment with a trusted women’s health provider here at Maiden Lane Medical to get tested and treated for endometriosis.
Unfortunately, you can’t count on your endometriosis symptoms subsiding when you reach menopause. While your hormone levels decline, level out, and your fertility ends, you could still have endometriosis or scar tissue on your pelvic organs that cause pelvic pain and painful intercourse.
WHAT CAUSES ENDOMETRIOSIS?
While the exact cause of endometriosis is not fully understood, several theories exist. Some theoretical causes of endometriosis include:
- Immune system dysfunction: Women with endometriosis may have an impaired immune response, allowing the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
- Retrograde menstruation: Some menstrual blood with endometrial cells flows backward through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity, leading to the implantation and growth of endometrial tissue in the wrong places.
- Other factors: Hormonal imbalances, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors may also contribute to the development of endometriosis. However, more research is needed to fully understand this condition’s causes.
DIAGNOSING ENDOMETRIOSIS
You may not develop symptoms of endometriosis as soon as you start puberty. The average age of endometriosis diagnosis is between the ages of 25-35.
It can take some time to diagnose endometriosis. Many reproductive health issues cause similar symptoms, and your women’s healthcare provider may need to run several tests to rule out all other possibilities.
Some of the tests we use to assess your reproductive health include:
- Pelvic exam
- Ultrasounds
- MRIs
Find out how our doctors can help you
However, a minimally invasive surgical procedure is called a laparoscopy. A laparoscope is a thin surgical tube with a camera and a light on its tip.
While you’re under anesthesia, your surgeon makes a small incision in your lower abdomen and inserts the laparoscope. The device sends a video feed to a monitor in the treatment room, allowing your surgeon to examine your pelvic organs for signs of endometriosis and scarring.
When the procedure is complete, your doctor withdraws the laparoscope and closes the small incision with a stitch. Exploratory laparoscopy to look for evidence of endometriosis is a relatively quick procedure. The recovery is also rapid; in most cases, you can get back to your regular activities within a couple of days.
TREATING ENDOMETRIOSIS
Here at Maiden Lane Medical, we provide highly customized treatment plans for endometriosis. Depending on the severity of your condition and your symptoms, your provider creates a customized, multidisciplinary treatment plan.
If your condition is mild, your provider might recommend a “wait and watch” approach, monitoring your symptoms and overall health. You might also find that over-the-counter pain relievers manage your symptoms.
Some doctors might try hormonal contraceptives to reduce inflammation and other symptoms. It may also prevent more endometrial cells and tissues from forming outside of your uterus. However, these treatments don’t do anything to solve your problem and get rid of the endometrium on your other organs.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WITH MAIDEN LANE MEDICAL TODAY!
At Maiden Lane Medical, we offer expert laparoscopic surgeries to remove endometriosis and scar tissue from your organs. Not only does this eliminate the abnormal tissue causing your symptoms, but surgery is often the best way to protect your future fertility. Book a consultation with a Maiden Lane Medical specialist today.