The Endometriosis Doctor

Monday, September 30, 2013

Endometriosis Recurrence

Unfortunaately, Endometriosis often comes back.Recurrence happens because of the estrogens produced by the ovaries. During a menstrual cycle, blood levels of estrogen fluctuate between 40 and 400 pg/mL. These levels help women get pregnant achieve pregnancy but also contribute to the recurrence of endometriosis. Hormone levels tween 50 and 70 pg/mL are adequate for normal body function and do not reactivate endometriosis. According to doctors, there are two ways to prevent recurrence of endometriosis in a woman who is not planning to conceive -- first by changing the hormonal environment and second by trying to keep estrogen levels in check.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecologic disorder that causes infertility and pelvic pain. It occurs in 6 to 10 percent of women of reproductive age, but in up to 50 percent in women with infertility and 80 percent of women with chronic pelvic pain. Endometriosis occurs when glands from the endometrium (lining of the uterus) attach and implant on the abdominal organs, such as the intestines or bladder, or pelvic organs, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes or uterus. These lesions cause a chronic inflammation in the fluid inside the abdominal cavity as well as changes in the nerves of the pelvic organs, both of which lead to pelvic pain. When endometriosis is mild, inflammation affects sperm function and causes hormonal changes which decrease fertility. When the disease is severe, ovarian cysts and scarring of the pelvic organs can prevent pregnancy. Endometriosis appears to have a familial association. Girls are 7 to 10 times more likely to develop endometriosis if their mother had the disorder. Symptoms Women with endometriosis frequently have painful menstrual cycles, chronic pain, and pain during intercourse. Endometriosis can also cause bowel and bladder problems, including pain with bowel movements or urination and constipation. When endometriosis is mild, inflammation affects sperm function and causes hormonal changes which decrease fertility. When the disease is severe, ovarian cysts and scarring of the pelvic organs can prevent pregnancy. Treatment Treatment is usually birth control pills or other hormones to decrease the frequency of menstrual cycles. If hormones don't work, there are medications which basically turn off the ovaries to stop a woman's cycles temporarily, which then stops the pain. For women that continue to have symptoms, surgery to remove scar tissue or pelvic masses and destroy the endometriosis frequently will help.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Role of Alcohol in Endrometriosis

August 29, 2013 Alcohol Consumption Tied to Endometriosis Risk Alcohol Consumption Tied to Endometriosis Risk (courtesy of HealthDay News) – Alcohol consumption seems to be associated with increased endometriosis risk, according to a meta-analysis published in the August issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Fabio Parazzini, MD, from the University of Milan, and colleagues conducted a literature review to identify all full-length, case-control and cohort studies published as original articles in English up to May 2012. The researchers found that, based on 15 included studies, for any alcohol intake vs. no alcohol intake, the summary estimate was 1.24. The relative risk estimates were 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86–1.52), 1.23 (95% CI, 1.08–1.4), and 1.19 (95% CI, 0.99–1.43) for infrequent, moderate/regular, and heavy alcohol intake, respectively, vs. no alcohol intake. For current and former drinkers (reported in three studies), the relative risk estimates were 1.42 (95% CI, 1.14–1.76) and 1.09 (95% CI, 0.83–1.43), respectively. "The present meta-analysis provides evidence for an association between alcohol consumption and endometriosis risk," the authors write. "Further studies are needed to clarify whether alcohol consumption may exacerbate an existing disease or could be related to the severity of the disease."