Endometriosis Specialist

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis describes the growth of the uterine lining, called the endometrium, outside the uterus. This tissue can grow on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and other pelvic organs.

Wherever the tissue grows, it continues to act like it does normally – thickening and breaking down during your monthly menstrual cycle. However, tissue outside of the uterus becomes trapped and has no way to exit your body.

Entrapped tissue can cause a variety of symptoms, some severe enough to interfere with your reproductive and general health.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Endometriosis symptoms vary from woman to woman. One of the most common symptoms includes persistent pain that can worsen over time. Many with endometriosis also experience intense pain during sex, bowel movements, and during their periods.

Other common symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Infertility
• Persistent cramping
• Spotting or bleeding in between periods

You may also experience recurring digestive issues, like constipation, nausea, and bloating.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

When you have unexplained symptoms that relate to endometriosis, your Pacifica Health provider reviews your personal and family medical history and discusses how severe your pain and other symptoms are.

During a pelvic exam, your physician may be able to feel abnormal tissue growth outside of your uterus. To identify smaller areas of endometrial tissue, you may need an ultrasound, which the team performs in the office to quickly determine if your symptoms relate to endometriosis or another condition.

The team at Pacifica Health also offers laparoscopy services, a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that involves the use of a special instrument with an attached camera. 

Your provider inserts a laparoscope through the abdominal wall and the camera sends back real-time images of your uterus and surrounding structures, so your provider can identify abnormal tissue growth.

How is endometriosis treated?

The right treatment for endometriosis depends on a variety of factors, including your medical history, your family plans, and the severity of your symptoms.

Initially, your Pacifica Health provider may recommend hormonal birth control to ease pain during your period. This is also the preferred method for women who still wish to become pregnant.

If medication isn’t enough to relieve endometriosis symptoms, your provider may recommend a minimally invasive procedure to destroy the lining of your uterus.

Endometrial ablation uses heat energy to destroy excess endometrial tissue. You may be a candidate for treatment with NovaSure® or a hydrothermal ablation procedure, which are minimally invasive techniques that target and destroy the uterine lining and abnormal tissue growth.

Following endometrial ablation, you won’t be able to become pregnant. You may also need to start hormone therapy to prevent new tissue growth.

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for endometriosis, call the Pacifica Health office nearest you or request an appointment online today.