Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Do you have Endometriosis?

Endometriosis or endo as it is commonly know, is a disorder where tissue that is found in the uterus is found other places in the body, and it can directly effect your fertility. The only way to truly diagnosis endo is through a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy (lap). Its a minor outpatient procedure.

Approximately 30-40% of women suffer from endo, and most will deal with infertility. Some common symptoms are;
heavy periods, painful cramps, pain during intercourse, or pain in the lower back, or pain during, before, and after your period and during ovulation.

Now with a lap the endo can be removed and hopefully conception can occur, however in the more extreme cases, stage III and stage IV endo IUI or IVF will need to occur in order to become pregnant.

If you are not looking to get pregnant, going on birth control can help alleviate symptoms, but if you wish to become pregnant be sure to visit your OBGYN or an fertility specialist ASAP for treatment. Endo can be treated, its just about finding the right treatment for you. Many women suffering from endo go on to have healthy pregnancies, but do not wait, if you think you have endo, get to a doctor and get checked out.

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