Endometriosis is a condition that is present when the tissue that lines
the inside of the uterus (endometrium) starts to grow outside of the uterus.
Along with causing severe pain in the pelvis and abdomen areas, endometriosis
may also cause the formation of scar tissue, cysts, and adhesions on or
around the ovaries. This occurs because during menstruation, the tissue
that has developed on the outside of the uterus becomes trapped and has
nowhere to exit the body. Though the cause of endometriosis may not always
be able to be identified, our team of skilled OB/GYNs at Women’s
Health at Valley View works with women to properly diagnose and treat
endometriosis through various procedure options. Contact us in Glenwood
Springs, Basalt, or Silt, CO to learn more and to schedule a consultation
with one of our board-certified professionals.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
There are several symptoms that are linked to endometriosis that can help
lead to a proper diagnosis, including:
Abnormally painful menstrual periods
Pain during or after intercourse
Painful bowel movements or urination
Infertility
Heavy or excessive bleeding during menstruation
Diagnosing Endometriosis
Though the only way to get an accurate diagnose of endometriosis is through
a diagnostic laparoscopic surgical procedure, there are a few other noninvasive
tests that can be conducted if it suspected that you may have endometriosis, such as:
A pelvic exam: In this exam, one of our OB/GYN specialists will manually feel around
your pelvic area in order to detect any abnormalities, including cysts.
Typically, endometriosis may only be suspected during a pelvic exam if
one of the abnormalities is currently present.
An ultrasound: For this test, the ultrasound may be conducted on your abdomen or as a
transvaginal ultrasound. This allows for a better image of your reproductive
organs. Similar to the pelvic exam, it can only identify existing abnormalities
and cannot conclusively diagnose endometriosis.
An MRI: Using radio waves and a magnetic field, an MRI may be utilized for surgical
planning and provide information about the overall location and size of
endometrial implants.
Laparoscopic surgery: During this procedure, a small incision is made near the belly button
and a laparoscope is inserted in order to evaluate any abnormal tissue
grown outside of the uterus. A sample of the tissue may be taken as a
biopsy, and in many cases, surgical treatment can be administered at the
same time as the diagnosis.
Treatment Options
Hormone Treatment: Effective in helping to slow the growth of endometrial tissue, hormone-balancing
medications come in various forms. Some of the most common include birth
control pills, patches, vaginal rings, and intrauterine devices. During
a thorough consultation, our team of OB/GYNs will be able to determine
which form of hormone treatment may be ideal for you and your needs in
order to relieve the symptoms of endometriosis.
Endometrial Ablation: Endometrial ablation is a procedure that works to destroy the endometrium
that has developed outside of the uterus. With no necessary incisions,
a small device is inserted through the vagina and various methods may
be used to ablate the tissue, including radiofrequency energy, extreme
cold, heated fluids, or microwave energy.
Surgical Action: During a laparoscopic procedure, as much of the endometrial tissue is removed
as possible. Through a small incision, only the tissue in the uterus is
targeted and both the uterus and ovaries are preserved.
What to Expect
Prior to recommending any form of treatment, our experienced team at Women’s
Health at Valley View will conduct the appropriate diagnostic testing
and provide a thorough examination. Typically, less invasive treatments
will be prescribed before a surgical option is recommended. Our team will
also be available to answer any questions you may have before, during,
or after your treatment process to ensure that you are comfortable and
thoroughly understand your procedure options.
Live Without Pain
Endometriosis can be extremely painful and affect your overall quality
of life. At Women’s Health at Valley View, we can offer both diagnostic
testing and treatment to help eradicate the unpleasant symptoms associated
with this condition. To learn more, we invite you to contact one of our
Colorado locations to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified OB/GYNs.
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