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Endometriosis

Endometriosis can cause pain and interfere with female fertility

Conservative estimates indicate that endometriosis is responsible for up to 40% of female fertility problems. This is a common condition that affects 1 out of 7 women of reproductive age. In our Tulsa fertility center, we provide advanced therapies that can address this often-painful condition and help restore fertility.

What is endometriosis?

With endometriosis, the same type of cells that line the uterus grow in other areas of the body. This often causes pain, irregular bleeding and possible infertility.

The tissue often implants in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, including on the ovaries, rectum, bowel, bladder and lining of the pelvis. Even though the tissue migrates out of the uterus, it still behaves the same way as the cells of the uterine lining, which means it thickens, sloughs off and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. However, it cannot leave the body and often creates problems with other internal organs. Scarring from this disease may cause fertility problems.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (cramping) and dyspareunia (pain during sex). Women may also experience the symptoms of a bladder infection around the time of their period, but have no other evidence of an infection. Some develop pain with bowel movements, especially in the time prior to the onset of their periods.

Another symptom may be brown discharge or spotting, which may occur several days prior to the onset of their regular menstrual cycle. Often, pain occurs in the lower back or as cramps in the lower pelvic area.

Not all women experience these symptoms, and the degree of pain may not correspond with the severity of the disease or the impact to female fertility.

Many times, our patients come in with symptoms that affect their quality of life. For your Tulsa fertility center doctor to confirm the diagnosis, we will usually start with a pelvic exam and possibly an ultrasound. For definitive proof, laparoscopic surgery is required. In many cases, your doctor is able to perform the diagnostic and corrective surgery at the same time.

A long-term treatment plan helps manage symptoms and boosts female fertility

To manage endometriosis, your doctor can recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen to control pain. Hormonal options, such as birth control pills, progestin therapy, and/or Gn-RH agonists and antagonists, may be prescribed, depending on your family-planning goals. If you need surgery, our doctors usually perform any procedures laparoscopically to reduce complications and improve recovery time.

At Tulsa Fertility Center, we have spent more than three decades treating infertility and creating families for our patients. We would welcome the opportunity to assist you in attaining your dream of motherhood. Contact our office for more information or to schedule an appointment.