Treatment of Endometriosis
Treatment of Endometriosis
Treatment of Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects over 70 million women and girls world-wide (Endo Resolved). It is common among women of reproductive age, approximately 15%. On average it takes 7 years from the time symptoms appear to diagnosis and finally treatment. Women suffering from endometriosis experience chronic pelvic pain and loss of time and productivity from work and school. Some women of child bearing age also experience infertility (Ryan). Currently there are no cures for endometriosis. Treatments attempt manage pain relief and slow the progression of endometriosis (Ryan).
The main goal of the treatment is to relieve the symptoms of pelvic pain, infertility, and pelvic mass associated with endometriosis. This accomplished using medical/drug therapies, surgical intervention, and combined therapies. There are a number of factors taken into consideration when deciding on what treatment method is best and is individualized for each woman. Often, a woman’s desire to bear children is a key decision maker. Other factors are age, severity of symptoms, stage of the disease and its location, prior treatments, and cost (Schenken).
Endometriosis is often diagnosed during a laparoscopy, a diagnostic surgical procedure in which a lighted optical tube is inserted into the navel through a small incision. Using a laparoscope, the doctor will be able to view the presence of endometrial lesions or implants on the outside of uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, endometrial tissue, bowel, and/or appendix (Rushall, Cleveland Clinic).
A variety of medical or drug therapies are available. Therapy choice is generally dependent on severity of the endometriosis and symptoms, as well as cost. Initial medical therapies include analgesics, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral contraceptive pills. If these are not effective, hormonal interventions may be prescribed.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are commonly
Treatment of Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects over 70 million women and girls world-wide (Endo Resolved). It is common among women of reproductive age, approximately 15%. On average it takes 7 years from the time symptoms appear to diagnosis and finally treatment. Women suffering from endometriosis experience chronic pelvic pain and loss of time and productivity from work and school. Some women of child bearing age also experience infertility (Ryan). Currently there are no cures for endometriosis. Treatments attempt manage pain relief and slow the progression of endometriosis (Ryan).
The main goal of the treatment is to relieve the symptoms of pelvic pain, infertility, and pelvic mass associated with endometriosis. This accomplished using medical/drug therapies, surgical intervention, and combined therapies. There are a number of factors taken into consideration when deciding on what treatment method is best and is individualized for each woman. Often, a woman’s desire to bear children is a key decision maker. Other factors are age, severity of symptoms, stage of the disease and its location, prior treatments, and cost (Schenken).
Endometriosis is often diagnosed during a laparoscopy, a diagnostic surgical procedure in which a lighted optical tube is inserted into the navel through a small incision. Using a laparoscope, the doctor will be able to view the presence of endometrial lesions or implants on the outside of uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, endometrial tissue, bowel, and/or appendix (Rushall, Cleveland Clinic).
A variety of medical or drug therapies are available. Therapy choice is generally dependent on severity of the endometriosis and symptoms, as well as cost. Initial medical therapies include analgesics, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral contraceptive pills. If these are not effective, hormonal interventions may be prescribed.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are commonly
Bibliography: Areas Where Endometriosis Can Be Found. UpToDate. Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT. Photograph Retrieved 28 March 2011 from http://www.uptodate.com/contents/image?imageKey=PI/18380&topicKey=PI%2F2174&utdPopup=true Endometriosis Surgery. 26 March 2007. Google Videos. Retrieved 4 May 2011 from http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3647553604207330664#. Endo Resolved. Retrieved 4 May 2011. http://www.endo-resolved.com/endometriosis.html Rushall, Kathleen. “Endometriosis Diminished with Traditional Chinese Medicine.” Retrieved 27 March 2011 from http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-news/articles/455-endometriosis-diminished-with-traditional-chinese-medicine.html. Ryan, Catherine MD. “Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis.” Gundersen Lutheran Medical Journal. Volume 3, Number 2, December 2005. Retrieved 27 March 20011 from http://www.gundluth.org/upload/docs/Archived/Endometriosis.pdf. Schenken, Robert S., MD. “Overview of the Treatment of Endometriosis.” 11 August 2010: UpToDate. Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT. 28 March 2011 from http://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-the-treatment-of-endometriosis?source=see_link. Surgical Treatment for Endometriosis. 1995-2009. The Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 27 March 82011 from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/endometriosis/hic_surgical_treatment_for_endometriosis.aspx.