Page 31 - April Issue
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getting ready
Symptoms “Endometriosis is categorised into four
stages; the higher the number, the more
Endometriosis can vary in terms severe the endometriosis. Stage I is when
of severity, says Dr Dmitrieva. endometriosis is minimal and still very
“Endometriosis is categorised
into four stages; the higher the thin and ‘filmy,’ hence easier to treat.”
number, the more severe the
endometriosis,” she says, adding, can be cleared up enough for production by the ovaries. All mother, baby & child April 2011
“Stage I is when endometriosis them to become pregnant and these medicaments have side
is minimal and still very thin and have their baby. While it is true effects and must be prescribed
‘filmy,’ hence easier to treat.” that endometriosis will most likely by a doctor. Pregnancy on the
Endometriosis is a progressive return provided that a woman other hand, says Dr Dmitrieva can
disease, however Dr Dmitrieva still has her uterus and ovaries, cause endometriosis to go into
points out that it is quite possible removing it can provide a window temporary remission.
to be asymptomatic. Clinical signs of opportunity. For women
and symptoms include infertility who have not had success with Surgery
(often the only symptom women surgery, other fertility aids such as
experience, even with Stage IUI (intrauterine insemination) or Surgical treatment for
IV), abnormal cycles or periods, IVF (in vitro fertilisation) may be endometriosis is indicated when
painful periods, pelvic pain and/ options. the symptoms of endometriosis
or painful intercourse, nausea and/ are severe or when there has
or vomiting, exhaustion, bladder Medication been an inadequate response
problems, frequent infections, to medical treatment. Surgical
dizziness, painful defecation, Treatment for endometriosis, therapies for endometriosis
lower backaches, irritable bowels, she points out, has varied over may be either classified as
stomach problems, and/or low- the years and unfortunately conservative, in which the uterus
grade fever. there is still no absolute cure. and ovarian tissue is preserved,
Treatment is medical and or definitive, which involves
Diagnosis surgical. In asymptomatic hysterectomy (removal of the
cases without infertility no uterus), with or without removal
In many women with treatment is necessary; of the ovaries. While surgical
endometriosis, Dr Dmitrieva only regular checkups. With treatments can be very effective
says that usually no abnormality mild symptoms and if infertility in the reduction of pain, the
is detected during the clinical is not a factor, simple painkillers recurrence rate of endometriosis
examination. “Ultrasound, CT like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or following surgical treatment has
scan and MRI can help, but ibuprofen may help. Medical been estimated to be as high as
cannot be used for determining treatment includes nonsteroidal 40 percent. The key to successful
the primary diagnosis,” she says anti-inflammatory drugs or treatment is to be aware of any
and the only way to diagnose NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or possible symptoms as well as
endometriosis is laparoscopy. The naproxen sodium) which are go in for regular check-ups. As
diagnosis should be confirmed by commonly prescribed to help always, you need to talk to your
biopsy and histology examination relieve pelvic pain and menstrual doctors or fertility specialists
of suspicious lesions. cramping. These pain-relieving to get a firm answer on how
medications have no effect endometriosis affects your fertility
Treatment on the endometrial implants. rates – and even they may not
Since endometriosis occurs know for sure.
Many women with endometriosis during the reproductive years,
will have no problems with many of the available medical CREDITS:
fertility. But for some women who treatments for endometriosis Dr Iliana Gancheva Dmitrieva
struggle with fertility because rely on interruption of the Specialist Obstetric and Gynaecology
of endometriosis, surgery may normal cyclical hormone 04-2733333
provide them with an opportunity
to conceive. By removing the
endometriosis that has currently
built up, their reproductive system
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