Your menstrual cycle is a natural part of life, and a necessary aspect of fertility. While monthly bleeding can be uncomfortable and disruptive to your routines, it should never cause significant pain.
At Interior Women’s Health, we shape our practice on listening to the women who entrust us with their care. Your experiences are never minimized or swept aside, no matter where you are in your health journey. Endometriosis is a serious condition that can interfere with your quality of life, and we offer state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services that can help.
Your body contains an astounding variety of cells that perform different functions. These cells combine to form tissues, and there is a vast array of tissue types in the female body.
The tissue that lines the inside of your uterus is called endometrium. It’s a special type of mucus membrane that thickens as you move through your menstrual cycle and sheds when you have your period. This process happens hundreds of times as you move through your reproductive years.
In some women, tissue very similar to the endometrium develops outside the uterus. This condition is known as endometriosis. The tissue goes through the same thickening and shedding as your uterine endometrium. The difference is that the abnormally located tissue cannot leave your body the way your period clears it away each month. It becomes “trapped” in your pelvic or abdominal region(s).
Endometriosis can cause problems when it attaches to organs in your pelvis or abdomen. It can also create abnormal adhesions between other tissue types. Scarring can develop, and endometriosis can complicate your fertility if it affects your ovaries or fallopian tubes.
Researchers are still unsure of the exact causes of endometriosis, but estimate that one out of every ten women will develop the condition at some point in their lives.
Let’s begin with two simple statements. First, your period should never be intensely painful, heavy, or lengthy. If it is, you should work with a women’s health specialist to determine why.
Second, no one knows your body better than you. If you feel like something is wrong or “off,” you shouldn’t hesitate to seek help. You deserve to have your health concerns taken seriously, and if you encounter a provider who doesn’t respond accordingly, walk away and find one who does.
Not all women with endometriosis experience symptoms. When symptoms are present, they might include:
These symptoms can also be a sign of various other women’s health issues. That, combined with a history of women’s health providers minimizing their patients’ symptoms, means that endometriosis has historically been difficult to diagnose. Thankfully, that is changing for the better.
Today, women who experience endometriosis have options. Your treatment path will be shaped by several factors, including your age, the extent of your endometriosis, your overall health, and your family planning needs.
Some women find that hormonal birth control is an effective way to manage their symptoms. There are many options to choose from, including pills, patches, intrauterine devices (IUDs), vaginal rings, injections, and implants.
If endometriosis is causing extreme pain or is interfering with other organs like your bowels or bladder, surgery offers the chance to remove the abnormal tissue. Many procedures can be done using minimally invasive surgical techniques, using slim surgical tools and a light/camera inserted through several small incisions.
Hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of your uterus (and sometimes other reproductive organs), is an option when less invasive treatments fail to deliver improvement. During a hysterectomy, your surgeon can look for abnormally situated tissue and remove it as needed.
If your period is interfering with your ability to enjoy life, don’t postpone coming in for help. The team at Interior Women’s Health can determine the source of your symptoms and present a range of treatment options. When you’re ready to visit our Fairbanks, Alaska, office, we offer online and phone scheduling options.
