What is endometriosis and why should it concern you? It is a condition that can compromise fertility and thus is of serious concern for our patients at Carolinas Fertility Institute (CFI), many of whom have this disorder.
By medical definition, endometriosis is “an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus—the endometrium—grows outside your uterus…involving your ovaries, bowel, or the tissue lining your pelvis.” Endometriosis can cause pain, sometimes severe, especially during your period. Fertility problems also may develop.
The prevalence of endometriosis nation-wide is estimated to be approximately 10% of women during childbearing years, but for infertile women, the rate of occurrence may be as high as 25% to 35%.
According to Dr. Tamer Yalcinkaya, Director at CFI, effective treatments are available.
“The only way to be sure whether a woman has endometriosis is to perform a surgical procedure called laparoscopy that allows us look inside the abdominal cavity with a narrow scope. We diagnose the patient and decide if treatment with medication or surgery is the best plan for fertility success,” he said.
The treatment options depend on the severity of the condition. The first line of conservative treatment is medication as is often the case with disease. Starting with pain relievers to lessen the pain during menstruation, the next strategy is hormonal therapies, which may include:
- Hormonal contraceptives, which mitigate against growth of endometrial tissue during menstruation.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists and antagonists, which impede production of ovarian-stimulating hormones, reduce estrogen levels, and stop menstruation.
- Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera), which can stop menstruation and thus the growth of endometrial tissue, thereby relieving the signs and symptoms of endometriosis.
- Danazol, which, like Gn-RH, impedes growth of the endometrium by blocking the production of ovarian-stimulating hormones, preventing menstruation.
However, hormonal therapies cannot cure endometriosis. Surgery is the ultimate option and involves removal of the extra-uterine endometria, either through open surgery or less invasive laparoscopy. However, even with surgery there is no guarantee that they condition will not develop again.
For women wishing to become pregnant who suffer from endometriosis, the most reliable option is IVF.
For more information, call Carolinas Fertility Institute at 336.448.9100, or you can schedule an appointment here.
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CFI has experienced very high success due to a combination of professional talent and the latest technology. We have been delighting patients since opening in March 2015, specializing in highly personalized and affordable treatment, resulting in many first-cycle pregnancies.
Carolinas Fertility Institute specializes in customized, compassionate care at affordable prices. We have offices Winston-Salem, Greensboro and a new location opening in Charlotte this summer. The practice specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility using the most advanced technologies in a comforting, supportive environment to give patients the personal care they deserve.
The practice accepts most insurance plans and offers a range of options for self-paying patients, including IVF, Donor egg IVF, and Fertility Preservation. You can get additional information about Carolinas Fertility Institute and our services by calling 336 448 9100 or visiting www.CarolinasFertilityInstitute.com.
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