Endometriosis

An often painful disorder

Endometriosis is a common and benign chronic disease in women, in which cells from the uterine mucosa (Endometrium) settle outside the uterine cavity in the abdomen. The cell islands created are hormone-dependent and build up parallel to the menstrual cycle. These so-called endometrioses are most commonly found in the ovaries and the lower abdominal and pelvic area. They can also be found in other areas of the body, such as liver or lungs.

The cramp-like pain caused by endometriosis usually occurs shortly before or during menstruation and ovulation. Endometriosis can also affect/influence bowel movement. In principle, endometriosis is a very complex disease, so the symptoms and consequences can be very varied. It may show different degrees of severity, which can be determined by the characteristics of the disease and the condition of the organ(s) it affects.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

The symptoms and consequences of endometriosis may occur individually or in combination. Possible symptoms or discomforts may include:

• Severe pain during menstrual bleeding
• Recurring pain in the lower abdomen during the second half of the menstrual cycle
• Increased menstrual bleeding, intermediate bleeding (between periods)
• Abdominal and back pain that may radiate into the legs
• Pain during or after sexual intercourse
• Pain during gynecological examinations
• Pain during bowel movements or urination
• Bleeding from bladder or intestines/bowels
• Bloating, diarrhea or constipation

Some of these symptoms may also occur in a similar form during a painful menstruation. However, it is a misconception that every menstruation is generally painful. On the contrary, we advise you to have every painful menstruation examined by a gynecologist. It is far better to act too early as too late. We are always available for you and will be happy to advise you.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis

The diagnosis of endometriosis is made with an ultrasound or minimally invasive examination of the abdominal cavity (laparoscopy). Also, a blood test is made.
In this way, we can determine or exclude an endometriosis. The treatment of endometriosis depends on the type, gravity and the associated pain.

Treatment with medication and hormonal agents, such as the pill, can counteract pain and cramps. By very advanced or very serious cases, a minimally invasive operation can be carried out. Also, a combination of treatment options can achieve the desired healing.
By Endometriosis time can be a helpful factor, the treatment often depends on when and in what stage the endometriosis is detected by the doctor. We will determine the treatment of your endometriosis together with you after a detailed diagnosis and consultation.

Endometriosis – How can I still become pregnant?

As you can read on our page Conception, Fertility and Childbearing Support Services, not conceiving can have many different reasons. Endometriosis is just one of them.

However, endometriosis may affect becoming pregnant. If a woman with endometriosis wants to become pregnant, hormone therapy will be stopped, as it would counteract pregnancy. Thus, only a therapy with painkillers or a minimally invasive abdominal intervention (laparoscopy) would be considered, in which the endometriosis is removed as completely as possible. Infertility can be treated with medications that support ova maturation and ovulation or affect the hormone progesterone. This type of hormone treatment stimulates the function of the ovaries. If the hormone treatment remains unsuccessful, an artificial insemination (“in vitro fertilization,” IVF) can be considered. In this laboratory procedure, the ova (eggs) are removed from the woman, then prepared and fertilized with the sperm of the man. The fertilized eggs are later re-implanted into the uterus of the woman. The chances of success by artificial insemination are slightly lower in women with pronounced endometriosis than in women without endometriosis.