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Endometriosis is the leading cause of female infertility. It affects about five million women in the United States, many of whom are in their 30s and 40s and still of reproductive age. Nearly two out of five women who can’t get pregnant have it.
At Women’s Health Specialists, PLLC, our team of experienced physicians diagnoses and treats endometriosis at our Murfreesboro, Tennessee, office.
Treatments range from a wait-and-see approach to laparoscopic surgery, but a newer treatment, called NovaSure®, is turning out to be a game-changer for many women who struggle with the pain and discomfort the condition brings. Here’s what you need to know about the condition and how NovaSure can help.
Endometriosis 101
The endometrium is the tissue that lines your uterus. Each month, during your menstrual cycle, the tissue thickens and prepares for possible implantation of a fertilized egg. If no egg implants, the tissue sloughs off and exits the body as menstrual blood.
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the endometrium grows outside the uterine cavity. These growths can attach themselves to any of the organs in the pelvic region, including the outside of the uterus, the ovaries, the bowel, and the fallopian tubes, leading to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.
Although the tissue is located outside the uterus, it still behaves as if it were inside that organ, breaking down and causing blood to flow at the end of your menstrual cycle. However, unlike when it’s in the uterus, the shed blood has nowhere to exit the body, and it moves into the abdominal cavity.
This may cause nearby areas to become swollen and inflamed. It may also lead to the formation of scar tissue and lesions.
Endometriosis symptoms
Generalized pelvic pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis. You may experience severe pain during your period, and the pain may continue into the next cycle. You may also feel pain during sex or with a bowel movement.
You can also experience intestinal pain, which may lead you to think you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or even pain in your chest if the tissue attaches to the esophagus.
In addition, endometriosis can cause abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB): heavy periods and/or bleeding between periods.
If endometriosis develops on your reproductive organs, it can affect your fertility. If the tissue wraps around the ovaries, it may block eggs from being released. If it grows on your fallopian tubes, it can also block sperm from making their way up the tubes or a fertilized egg from moving down into the uterus.
Endometriosis can also affect fertility by changing your body’s hormonal chemistry, causing the immune system to attack the embryo, or affecting the uterine lining so the egg can’t implant correctly. That’s why it’s so important to get medical help if you want to start a family.
It’s also important to note that your symptoms don’t necessarily reflect the severity of your endometriosis. Some women have a lot of extra tissue with no symptoms, while others have a small amount that causes a lot of symptoms.
What is NovaSure, and how can it help with endometriosis?
The NovaSure treatment by Hologic utilizes unique patented technology to deliver customized ablation to remove abnormal endometrial tissue. The doctor inserts the device through the cervix and into the uterus, where it emits precisely measured radio-frequency (RF) energy waves to safely remove the endometrium.
In addition, the NovaSure procedure offers a one-time, five-minute procedure to effectively reduce or stop menstrual bleeding for women with abnormal uterine bleeding.
The SmartDepth™ technology monitors and measures the amount of tissue impeding blood flow so your doctor can customize the depth of ablation for what you need, personalizing the treatment.
Once the abnormal tissue has been removed, endometriosis symptoms should abate, and fertility issues may resolve.
To learn more about endometriosis, and to find out if NovaSure can help you manage the condition, call Women’s Health Specialists, PLLC today at 615-907-2040, or book your appointment online with us.
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