Endometriosis is a disorder that affects women in their reproductive years. If you have endometriosis, uterine tissue grows where it shouldn’t — outside of the uterus. This can cause pain as well as infertility issues. If you’re one of the 176 million women across the globe who have endometriosis, you might wonder if this condition is curable.
Although there isn’t currently a cure for endometriosis, Dr. Essam Taymour and our team at Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group offer endometriosis treatments in our Long Beach, California, office to help reduce pain and address infertility. Here, we discuss these treatments and how they can improve the quality of your life.
Do you have endometriosis?
Endometriosis causes intense pain during your menstrual cycle, but period pain isn’t the only way this condition manifests. You might experience severe lower back pain, excessive bleeding during your period, pain during intercourse, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue. Endometriosis wreaks havoc on your work and home life, especially during your period.
Although it can be difficult to hear “there’s no cure” for endometriosis, the reality is that treatments can help tremendously. However, not all treatments are right for every woman. Dr. Taymour works with you to determine the best course of action based on your symptoms and your family planning goals.
Treatments for endometriosis
Both non-surgical and surgical endometriosis treatments are available. At Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group, we begin with a conservative approach.
Non-surgical treatments include pain medication and hormone therapy. Hormone therapies aren’t considered a cure because symptoms may return after you stop hormone therapy. Nevertheless, hormone therapy can mean the difference between debilitating pain and the ability to function in your daily routines.
Depending on your needs, hormone therapy options include hormonal contraceptives (which rely on hormones to control the buildup of endometrial tissue), gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists (which block the production of ovarian-stimulating hormones and help stop your menstrual cycle), progestin therapy (which includes intrauterine devices), and aromatase inhibitors (which reduce estrogen levels).
Surgical treatments for endometriosis include surgical excision of endometrial lesions — a minimally invasive surgery that removes excess tissues while leaving your reproductive organs intact — and hysterectomy. A hysterectomy may be suggested for women who are finished having children and who have severe endometriosis.
Endometriosis and infertility
When endometrial implants — the endometrial tissue that grows outside of your uterus — develop in your fallopian tubes, it can contribute to infertility issues. If your fallopian tube is blocked, sperm can’t reach the egg, and because conception occurs in the fallopian tubes, conceiving can be difficult.
Several treatments for endometriosis, such as hormonal birth control, don’t work for women who want to start a family. The good news, though, is that with the right treatment, many women with endometriosis can achieve a healthy pregnancy. Surgical removal of the endometrial implants might be right for you in this case.
Find relief today
Regardless of what stage of life you’re in or your family planning status, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Our team at Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group is on a mission to help women find relief from painful periods. If you’re experiencing painful or heavy periods, call us at 562-247-3038. Or you can request an appointment anytime with our convenient online booking tool.