Women’s Health
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Endometriosis
What it is and how to treat it.
by BRIT CREW
What is endometriosis? It is a condition where glandular cells similar
to the lining of the uterus get where
they do not belong. The lesions can be
found anywhere in the pelvic cavity
and in other parts of the body such as
the bowel, bladder, liver or lungs.
Endometriosis grows with hormones: natural hormones and artificial
hormones such as birth control pills.
This disease can get almost anywhere, but it is not a malignancy and
it is not cancer. The symptoms it produces are so interfering, it feels like a
life threatening problem, and sufferers
can’t function.
The most common symptom
is pelvic pain. According to
endometriosis.org’s website,
other symptoms include
painful periods, painful
ovulation, pain during or
after sexual intercourse,
abnormal
bleeding,
chronic pelvic pain,
fatigue, and infertility.
It is best to see
a doctor if the pain
of endometriosis is
severe, debilitating,
and impacting your
daily routines and
normal functions.
There is no known
cause of endometriosis,
but there are a few treatment options,
including OTC pain relievers, hormone therapy, progestins, and surgery.
“The way to treat and get rid of as
much endometriosis as we can, is to
actually cut it out through larascopic
surgery,” says Dr. John Dulemba, a gynecologist with The Women’s Centre in
Denton, Texas.
176 million, or 1 in 10,
women are affected by
endometriosis worldwide
regardless of their ethnic
or social background.
www.endormetriosis.org
During the procedure, anyplace the
disease is present, surgeons cut it out
completely to give patients an opportunity to be symptom or disease free.
Dr. Dulemba further explains, “The
goal of this is to treat this disease early,
and eradicate as much endometriosis
as we possibly can, so a woman can go
on and have a very functional life.”
It is important to choose a doctor
who specializes in treating endometriosis on a daily basis for the appropriate
treatment of symptoms.
For additional information, visit
endometriosis.org for up-to-date facts
about this debilitating disease.
See Dr. Dulemba talk
about endometriosis at
BestDocsNetwork.com
Fall 2013
Best Docs Network
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