Endometriosis
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Glow Obstetrics & Gynecology
Obstetrician & Gynecologist located in Rockwall, TX
The symptoms of endometriosis don’t always reflect the severity of the problem. Some women with minimal symptoms have extensive patches of endometriosis, while other women with severe pain have a small patch. Theresa Conyac, MD, FACOG, at Glow Obstetrics & Gynecology in Rockwall, Texas, has extensive experience diagnosing endometriosis and providing customized care that relieves your symptoms and lowers your risk of developing complications such as ovarian cancer and infertility. To schedule an appointment, use the online booking feature or call the office today.
Endometriosis Q & A
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis develops when tissues from inside your uterus, called the endometrium, end up outside the uterus. The tissues attach to nearby structures and continue to grow.
The exact reason endometriosis develops isn’t known. One of the theories is that a small amount of menstrual blood goes backward, traveling through the fallopian tubes and into your pelvic region.
Endometriosis most often affects your ovaries and fallopian tubes, but it can also grow on the outer uterine wall, your bladder, bowels, and the tissues lining your abdomen.
How does endometriosis affect my body?
When the endometrium is inside your uterus, it thickens to prepare for a possible pregnancy and then sheds if an egg isn’t fertilized. This shedding leaves your body through the vagina as your menstrual period.
Outside your uterus, the tissues forming endometriosis do the same thing. They thicken, shed, and bleed every month. However, the blood stays in your pelvic area, where it causes inflammation and scarring in the nearby organs.
What symptoms develop due to endometriosis?
Though it’s possible to have endometriosis without symptoms, most women experience:
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during menstrual periods
- Abdominal pain before your periods
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain when you urinate
- Pain during bowel movements
It’s estimated that 71-87% of all women with endometriosis develop chronic pelvic pain. They may also have heavy menstrual periods, bleeding between periods, and feel fatigued.
Does endometriosis cause infertility?
Endometriosis is one of the top causes of infertility. About 30-50% of women who are diagnosed with endometriosis are infertile. When endometriosis doesn’t cause painful symptoms, women often learn they have endometriosis when they schedule an infertility evaluation.
How is endometriosis treated?
There’s no cure for endometriosis, but Dr. Conyac has several treatment options to relieve your symptoms. Your customized treatment is based on the severity of your symptoms, the extent of the endometriosis, and whether you plan to have children in the near future.
Dr. Conyac carefully explains your treatment options, takes time to answer your questions, and develops a treatment plan that may include over-the-counter pain relievers, different types of hormone therapy, and laparoscopic surgery to remove patches of endometriosis.
Dr. Conyac may prescribe one of several possible medications. Some slow the growth of new endometriosis, while others stop your menstrual periods and minimize existing patches.
The team at Glow Obstetrics & Gynecology can relieve the pain of endometriosis. Schedule an appointment today by calling the office or using the online booking feature.
