Endometriosis Specialist

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissues similar to the inner uterine lining, called the endometrium, start growing outside the uterus in the pelvis on the bladder, abdomen, and bowels.

It begins during the early reproductive years but is usually diagnosed in midlife during the 30s and 40s. It’s very common and occurs in nearly 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Women with endometriosis often have different types of pain. Chronic, long-standing pain before and during the menstrual period is the most common symptom of endometriosis.

Other types of pain associated with endometriosis are pain during sex and pain passing urine and stool. Other symptoms of endometriosis are:

• Infertility
• Spotting between periods
• irregular or heavy periods

Some women with endometriosis do not have any symptoms.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Dr. Fan offers comprehensive gynecological services, including necessary diagnostic tests for endometriosis. After getting a detailed history, she performs a bimanual pelvic examination and may feel the large, ovarian cysts, called endometriomas, outside the uterus. This is the hallmark of endometriosis.

Additional tests suggested are ultrasound and MRI, but laparoscopy is the only definitive confirmatory test for endometriosis.  

What are some of the treatment options for endometriosis?

Treatment depends on your symptoms, age, reproductive history, and desire for children in the future. Dr. Fan will individualize the best treatment option available for you. Some of the options for controlling pain are:  

• Hormonal birth control
• Laparoscopy
• Laparotomy
• Nerve ablation

Medications, surgery, or both help manage endometriosis. But your treatment plan primarily depends on the site and extent of pain and the desire to have children.

If you don't have any plans for pregnancy, hormonal birth control pill is the best option, to begin with. If you do want children in the future, Dr. Fan might put you on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which helps with conception.

Surgery is mainly reserved for patients with severe chronic pain or those who are resistant to treatment. The adhesions are cut, and endometriomas are drained, providing relief from pain.

So, If you have painful periods or have problems planning a family, call or book an appointment online today to know more about it.