Endometriosis Awareness: Don't Suffer in Silence

March has been designated Endometriosis Awareness Month. 

That means our team at Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom would love to take advantage of the opportunity to provide information, guidance, and care for women in and around Folsom, California, who are living with endometriosis. 

Whether you experience endometriosis yourself or are trying to support a friend or loved one as they navigate this often painful condition, we’re here to offer science-backed advice on how to identify, manage, and overcome endometriosis. 

What is endometriosis, and how does it develop?

The best way to understand endometriosis is by thinking about normal uterine function. The inner walls of your uterus are lined with special cells that build a tissue called endometrium. This is a type of mucus membrane that changes as you move through your monthly cycle. 

As your uterus prepares for the possibility of hosting a fertilized egg, your endometrium thickens, creating a safe space for that egg to achieve implantation. 

If no fertilized egg arrives, your body sends signals that the thickened lining is not needed, and the resulting shedding becomes your period. 

When endometrial cells exit the uterus and move into your pelvic or abdominal region, they create tissue that behaves just like the endometrium within your uterus. This tissue thickens and sheds, but because it is outside of the uterus, it has nowhere to exit your body. 

Researchers are uncertain of the exact cause of endometriosis. It appears that there is a genetic component, so if a close relative experiences the condition, your risk level is elevated. 

Endometriosis might also develop when menstrual blood flows backward into your fallopian tubes and enters your pelvic cavity. 

What’s important to understand is that endometriosis is not something that happens because you did anything wrong. It isn’t an indication of poor health or bad choices. It simply happens to around one out of every ten women at some point in their lives. 

Know the signs and symptoms of endometriosis

Understanding the signs of endometriosis can help you know when it’s time to seek help for yourself or a loved one. Not every woman with endometriosis will experience symptoms, but when they’re present, they might include:

• Severe pain during your period
• Pain during urination or bowel movements
• Pain during sex
• Heavy bleeding
• Bloating or nausea
• Constipation or diarrhea

For many women, infertility is the first sign that they have endometriosis. Abnormally situated endometrial tissue can cause problems with your ovaries or fallopian tubes and can also lead to abnormal adhesions between various pelvic and abdominal organs. 

There are treatments that can help manage endometriosis

If you’re diagnosed with endometriosis, it’s normal to feel anxious or afraid. But you should know that treatments can help manage the condition and minimize symptoms. 

Hormonal birth control is often the first choice for endometriosis. You can choose from numerous options, including: 

• Pills 
• Patches 
• Vaginal rings 
• Injections 
• Implants
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)

Altering your hormonal balance can change your monthly cycle and minimize pain and heavy bleeding. 

Many women with endometriosis benefit from conservative surgical intervention. This approach often uses minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove endometriosis tissue from your pelvis or abdomen. 

For some women, a hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries is the best way to definitively treat endometriosis. 

During the procedure, our team can also remove endometriosis tissue and correct any adhesions that are present. Hysterectomy is reserved for cases in which less invasive treatments don’t yield the desired improvements. 

There’s no need to live in pain

If you’re living with endometriosis, there is no need to continue living with the pain and disruption this condition brings. 

Our team at Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom offers outstanding diagnostic and treatment services for endometriosis, and can walk you through your options during your visit. 

Contact our office by phone to check appointment availability, or use our easy online booking page to find a time that works for you.