Do you Suspect Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disease that affects many women in the world today. Strangely enough, most women do not realize that they have endometriosis until the symptoms are severe. Most women dismiss the symptoms as bad cramps or just a heavy period. Endometriosis can be mild or severe and the symptoms are not necessarily a good indicator of how advanced the disease has become.
Pelvic pain is the most common complaint from women with endometriosis. Pain can be centered around the pelvic area, but if it has spread to other organs and areas, patients can experience back pain as well. Endometriosis is a progressive disease that can get worse and worse over time. Women suffering from endometriosis often complain of constipation or diarrhea during menstruation. Fatigue, heavy or irregular periods and pain during sexual intercourse are also common symptoms. Some women have severe pain and very little endometriosis while others have very advanced endometriosis and little to no pain whatsoever.
Many women find out that they have endometriosis when they are unsuccessful at becoming pregnant. Infertility caused by endometriosis is very common. No one knows for sure what causes endometriosis, but the endometriosis implants are similar to uterine lining that has traveled outside of the uterus. Endometrial cells can grow and shed with hormonal changes with the uterine lining. Endometriosis can be found on reproductive organs, inside the abdominal cavity and even on intestines and other abdominal organs.
Endometriosis can only be confirmed if a diagnostic laparoscopic surgery is performed. This is a minor surgery where your doctor will insert a small tube containing a camera, called a laparoscope, into your lower abdomen. Your abdomen will be inflated with gas so that the doctor can get a good look around. During this procedure, your doctor will most likely take samples of the endometrial tissue for biopsy.
Treatments range from pain management to hysterectomy. Birth control pills are commonly used to prevent endometriosis from growing. Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications and pain killers can help improve discomfort. Surgically, your doctor can use lasers and small knives during laparoscopy to remove endometriosis implants. If you are experiencing some of these symptoms or if you are having trouble conceiving, speak with an your obstetrician/gynecologist about what options may be available to you.
If you do receive a positive diagnosis of endometriosis, keep in mind that it is a progressive disease. Severe organ damage can occur if you allow endometriosis to go untreated. It is very important to seek treatment as soon as possible if you suspect endometriosis.
About the Author: Dr. Matthew Romberg, a
Round Rock OBGYN specializing in obstetrical and gynecologic care, is the President of the Heart of Texas Women’s Center. The Heart of Texas Women’s Center provides state of the art health care including surgical procedures, family planning counseling, complete prenatal care including high risk pregnancy management, in-house ultrasonography and well-woman services. For more information, please visit
http://www.hotwc.com.
Labels: Preeclampsia, pregnancy anemia, pregnancy conditions, pregnancy risks
High Risk Pregnancy (Part II): Risk Factors during Pregnancy
Part I of this two-part series,
Pre-Pregnancy Risk Factors, outlined some of the pre-existing conditions that may lead to a high-risk pregnancy. In this section, we examine some conditions that can appear during pregnancy and contribute to a high-risk pregnancy.
Risk Factors during Pregnancy:
The fact that alcohol, cigarette and other drug use during pregnancy pose great risk to the fetus is widely known. Many over the counter and prescription drugs are no exception, and consulting with your physician prior to taking any drug during pregnancy is advised. Here we examine some medical conditions appearing during pregnancy that can contribute to an increased risk during pregnancy:
-Anemia: Anemia can be caused by an iron, folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency, though it can also result from other health conditions. Anemia is common in pregnant women because of the increased demand placed on their bodies by the developing fetus. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen to other cells. During pregnancy, a woman has an increased amount of blood for which to produce hemoglobin, and the fetus utilizes iron to produce red blood cells, resulting in a significantly increased need for iron.
Iron and folic acid supplements or prenatal vitamins containing appropriate levels of both can prevent or treat anemia in many cases. It is important to consult with your physician to determine the best health regimen for your body’s unique needs during pregnancy.
-Infections: Bacterial or viral infections, even those unrelated to the pregnancy, can create risk for the fetus and mother. Urinary tract infections are not uncommon during pregnancy, and pose risks such as early rupture of membranes holding the fetus and premature labor. Bacterial vaginosis can also cause premature labor or rupturing of these membranes. Rubella has been known to cause heart and ear related birth defects. Fortunately, rubella is rare in America because most people are immunized against it. Antibiotics can be used to treat some infections and reduce the risk of related health issues.
-Preeclampsia: As mentioned in Part I, increased blood pressure during pregnancy is characteristic of preeclampsia. The risk of preeclampsia is greater for women with preexisting high blood pressure, women carrying more than one fetus, women in their first pregnancy and those under 15 or over 35 years of age.
-Thromboembolic Disease: Being the leading cause of death during pregnancy in the U.S., thromboembolic disease can be a legitimate concern for an expectant mother. With thromboembolic disease, blood clots form and can travel through the body and block arteries. The risk for this condition remains for a few weeks after delivery, and is more common in women who have had cesarean sections than those who have had vaginal deliveries. Prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease are possible.
Other complications such as gestational diabetes, an excess of amniotic fluid and placental abruption also contribute to high-risk pregnancies. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the level of risk associated with a pregnancy, and each woman’s circumstances are unique. Regular medical care and monitoring of risks present before, during and following pregnancy can help reduce risk through prevention and treatment.
About the Author: Dr. Matthew Romberg, a
Round Rock OBGYN specializing in obstetrical and gynecologic care, is the President of the Heart of Texas Women’s Center. The Heart of Texas Women’s Center provides state of the art health care including surgical procedures, family planning counseling, complete prenatal care including high risk pregnancy management, in-house ultrasonography and well-woman services. For more information, please visit
http://www.hotwc.com/.
Labels: Preeclampsia, pregnancy anemia, pregnancy conditions, pregnancy risks
