Endometriosis Specialist

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the endometrium that lines your uterus starts growing outside the uterus. Endometriosis most often develops on the front, back, and sides of the uterus, as well as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and bowel.

Some women with endometriosis have few, if any, symptoms. For others, it’s a cause of severe pain and fertility problems.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

If you have symptoms of endometriosis, you may experience pain in your pelvic region. The pain may occur:

• Just before or during your period
• Between periods
• During or after sexual intercourse
• When urinating
• During a bowel movement

Pain is typically worse during your period, and period pain may worsen over time. Your symptoms provide a preliminary diagnosis, but the only way to be sure you have endometriosis is to undergo surgery.

Endometriosis also causes problems conceiving, in some cases due to the scar tissue that develops on the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Women with no scarring can still have problems becoming pregnant.

If you do conceive when you have endometriosis, there’s no cause to worry about the health of the fetus. Many women also find their symptoms of endometriosis improve following birth.

How is endometriosis treated?

In the first stages, Dr. Pinky Ronen and Dr. Itai Ronen may advise a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to see if that eases your symptoms. Other possible treatments include:

• Hormonal birth control
• Progestins
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists

If you don’t experience any improvement within three to six months, you may need to undergo surgery, particularly if you are in severe pain, you have a growth or mass in your pelvic region, or you have trouble conceiving. Surgery can confirm endometriosis and remove tissues and scarring.

Surgical options include:

• Laparoscopy (minimally invasive surgery)
• Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
• Salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes)

More than 80% of women who have surgery experience a reduction in pain for several months after the procedure. New endometriosis can form unless you take steps to prevent it, such as by using hormonal birth control.

Are there treatments for infertility caused by endometriosis?

If endometriosis prevents you from becoming pregnant, there are several options to improve your fertility. Dr. Pinky Ronen and Dr. Itai Ronen can prescribe fertility medicines or intrauterine insemination with fertility medicine.

They may recommend surgical removal of the endometriosis. If you continue to have problems conceiving, you can undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

If you’re suffering from painful periods or having problems conceiving, let Dr. Pinky Ronen and Dr. Itai Ronen diagnose what’s causing the issue and find a resolution. Call Dr. Ronen OB/GYN today or book an appointment online.