Endometriosis

About 11% of American women between ages 15 and 44 experience persistent pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and other symptoms of endometriosis. Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom provides patient-centric care for adult women and adolescent girls with endometriosis. Timothy Phelan, MD, FACOG, and Mandi O’Brien, MSN, FNP-BC, use advanced therapies, including minimally invasive surgery, to ease endometriosis pain, stop heavy bleeding, and improve fertility. Call the Folsom, California, office today to schedule an endometriosis consultation or book a diagnostic evaluation online.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition that develops when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside of the organ. The tissue continues to act like it usually does – thickening and breaking down with each month’s menstrual cycle. However, since the tissue has no way to exit the body, it becomes trapped.

Endometrial tissue can spread over the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other pelvic structures, causing a range of symptoms that impair a woman’s physical, reproductive, and sexual health.

Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis in adult women and adolescent girls.

The medical team also has experience managing the side effects of endometriosis, including pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and infertility.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

A hallmark symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain that tends to get worse during your monthly period. Pain results when excess endometrial tissue irritates surrounding tissues and forms scar tissue on the pelvic organs.

Other symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Heavy periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Intense menstrual cramps
• Pain with sex
• Difficulties conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy

Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom offers pelvic exams and minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures to diagnose endometriosis. The team also assesses the severity of your symptoms to design a treatment plan.

How is endometriosis treated?

Initially, your treatment for endometriosis might include over-the-counter or prescription medications to reduce inflammation and pain. The Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom team might also recommend bioidentical hormone therapy to shrink excess endometrial tissue to relieve your symptoms.

When nonsurgical therapies aren’t working well, you might need surgery. The team uses da Vinci robotic surgery technology to expertly remove excess endometrial tissue without damaging nearby pelvic structures. Surgery can provide lasting symptom relief and may restore your fertility. Minimally invasive surgery offers a faster recovery than traditional open surgery and lowers your risk for complications like bleeding and infection. 

If you’re done having children and have severe complications from endometriosis, the team might suggest NovaSure® endometrial ablation, a procedure that uses electrical currents to remove the lining of your uterus. 

You might also be a candidate for a hysterectomy to remove your uterus and other reproductive organs if you continue to have endometriosis complications. 

Call Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of endometriosis. You can also book an appointment online.