Endometriosis affects one in 10 women during their childbearing years. The condition causes various symptoms that affect your physical and reproductive health, as well as your sexual wellness.
At Alpha OB GYN, our skilled gynecologist Sowmya Reddy, MD, FACOG, understands the disruptive impact of endometriosis symptoms. Dr. Reddy offers diagnostic testing and treatment services for endometriosis.
Because there’s no cure for the condition, she customizes a care plan that addresses both your short and long-term needs.
Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium (uterine lining) grows outside your uterus. Problems arise because the tissue functions like it usually does — thickening and shedding each month during your period. However, the tissue outside of the uterus has no way to exit your body and becomes trapped inside.
This can lead to symptoms like:
Endometrial tissue can also spread to other reproductive organs, including your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and cervix, and to nearby organs like your bladder and bowel.
When tissue covers other organs, it can result in difficulties becoming pregnant and infertility. If tissue grows over your bowel or bladder, you may have painful bowel movements or urination pain.
Diagnosing endometriosis typically involves a pelvic exam to check for excess tissue growth. Dr. Reddy may also request an ultrasound or other imaging testing to assess how far the endometrial tissue has spread.
In some cases, we may need to perform a laparoscopy. This procedure involves minimally invasive surgery to closely examine your uterus and other pelvic organs. Dr. Reddy may also take a tissue sample to confirm your diagnosis during surgery.
If you have endometriosis, Dr. Reddy helps you manage your condition with a personalized treatment plan.
There’s no cure for endometriosis, and the condition can return even with treatment. As you transition to menopause, endometriosis usually begins to resolve on its own when your estrogen levels decline.
Until then, we continue to monitor your reproductive health in the long term to prevent complications and offer treatments like:
Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can relieve painful menstrual cramps and pelvic pain. Dr. Reddy can also prescribe medications if your pain is severe.
Low-dose hormonal birth control pills can regulate your periods and ease heavy bleeding.
We offer minimally invasive surgery for women with infertility issues or severe symptoms due to endometriosis. Surgery focuses on removing excess tissue growth through small incisions to increase your chance of becoming pregnant and ease the worse of your symptoms.
In the most serious cases of endometriosis, Dr. Reddy may recommend a hysterectomy to remove your uterus and possibly your other reproductive organs. This treatment is only for women who are done having children and can’t manage endometriosis symptoms with other therapies.
You don’t have to live with the pain and heavy periods of endometriosis. Call the Alpha OB GYN office near you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation or book an appointment online today.
