Endometriosis Awareness Month 2015: Suffering Can Be Lonely, Let New Hope Help
Women with endometriosis often feel isolated and that no one understands their suffering. Other women may compare the situation with normal menstrual cramps, having no idea what you’re actually experiencing. Thankfully, there are ways to treat endometriosis and preserve your fertility.
Endometriosis Explained
Endometriosis is more than heavy periods and painful cramps. The symptoms of endometriosis are the result of uterine lining that grows outside of the uterus. This tissue attaches to other organs and grows as does the lining inside the uterus. Unlike the uterine lining in the uterus, the excess lining has no way to leave the body. This excess lining results in scarring which can affect the organs as well as fertility.
Treatment Options
There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are a number of treatment options. In order to stop the symptoms of endometriosis, a woman must stop having a period. There are several ways to accomplish this:
- Pregnancy – For women who want to have children, pregnancy is the best way to treat endometriosis. Pregnancy stops a woman’s cycle and results in a number of hormonal changes. In fact, after pregnancy, many women with endometriosis report a reduction or elimination of their symptoms. However, endometriosis can negatively impact a woman’s fertility. Therefore, it is best to work with a fertility care team that has had success treating endometriosis.
- Pain Medication – For women with less severe symptoms, the pain associated with endometriosis may be treated with over the counter medication such as naproxen and ibuprofen.
- Birth Control Pills – Birth control pills stop a woman’s cycle, while allowing a short, light period in between cycles. Many women experience relief while on the pill. However, symptoms will return once a woman stops taking the pill.
- Hormone Treatment – Progesterone can stop a woman’s period. This can be administered orally, via injection or via an IUD implanted directly in the uterus.
- Surgery – At times, the amount of scar tissue a woman has will warrant surgery. However, some surgical procedures can impact fertility, be sure to discuss the issue with your doctor.
Receive additional information on endometriosis and treatment options by contacting the experts at New Hope Fertility Center today. Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676. Thank You.
