Article: Endometriosis - Hysterectomy the Answer?

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Article: Endometriosis - Hysterectomy the Answer?
What is endometriosis and what are the treatment options?

Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic cavity. It is not a malignant or premalignant condition

Symptoms of endometriosis is characterized by pain: pain with menstruation, pain with sexual intercourse and increasingly severe pelvic pain.

The intensity of suffering caused by endometriosis varies from woman to woman. For most women a hysterectomy is not necessary to treat endometriosis and its milder symptoms.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Endometriosis

Continuous low-dosage combined oral contraceptives
Progestational agents such as medroxyprogesterone acetate (by daily pills or injection every three months)
Formulations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists by monthly injections
Danazol - a weak compound with androgenic effects

Surgical Treatment Options for Endometriosis

Laproscopic surgery to observe endometriosis and remove if possible
Hysterectomy - removal of uterus and ovaries is used as a last resort for treatment. Although rare, some women's endometriosis is not cured with a hysterectomy.

Ideas to Consider

Endometriosis treatment is generally approached in stages. From less invasive to more aggressive.

Mild endometriosis can usually be treated with conservative measures (medications) but moderate to severe endometriosis which is likely to involve pelvic adhesions or large endometriomas more often require surgery.

Endometriosis is diagnosed by biopsy or suspected areas or visually identifying endo during laproscopic surgery.

In some rare cases, hysterectomy and removal of ovaries does not cure endometriosis.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.