Learning endometriosis facts can help you take control of this condition
It might sound cliché to say that knowledge is power, but it is, especially when it comes to endometriosis. By learning endometriosis facts, you can discover what to expect from this condition and find out what your treatment options are. In honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors are providing a quick endo overview.
A quick overview of the most important endometriosis facts
To kick things off, let’s talk about what endometriosis is. This condition occurs when some of the tissue that usually lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it. These so-called endometrial implants can grow on the outer wall of the uterus and fallopian tubes. They can also grow in the spaces around the rectum and the bladder.
During your period, this tissue thickens and bleeds. However, the blood can’t escape your body, so it can cause pain and irritation. Not only that, but it can lead to other symptoms, including infertility.
Another one of the endometriosis facts is that this condition varies in severity. Doctors classify endo as minimal (I), mild (II), moderate (III) or severe (IV). This depends on the size of the endometrial implants and how deep they reach.
You might be surprised to learn that the severity of your endometriosis doesn’t necessarily correspond to how much pain or discomfort you feel. For example, you could have minimal endometriosis and a great deal of pain. Or you could have no pain at all with a severe case. It’s all part of the mysterious nature of this condition.
What are the options to diagnose and treat this condition?
When it comes to diagnosing endo, minimally invasive surgery is the only way to definitively do it. That’s because the endometrial implants don’t show up on MRIs or ultrasounds. While you might not be thrilled to learn you need surgery to diagnose this problem, there is some good news. Our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors can typically diagnose and treat endometriosis during the same procedure. It’s a two birds, one stone situation.
Once you’ve had endometriosis surgery, there’s more good news. You have a good chance of conceiving naturally if you don’t have any other fertility issues. Not only that, but you should also feel relief from the pain and discomfort of endo.
If you’d like to learn how our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors can help you with endometriosis, contact us to schedule an appointment. You can experience relief and restored fertility.
