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
High Risk Pregnancy (Part I): Pre-Pregnancy Risk Factors
A high risk pregnancy carries with it potential dangers to the fetus as well as the mother. While all pregnancies are susceptible to some risk, pre-existing conditions or some that can develop during pregnancy can lead to a high-risk pregnancy, posing even greater danger to mother and baby.
In this two part series, we will examine some of the factors that can contribute to a high risk pregnancy, including conditions present prior to the pregnancy (Part I) and conditions that can develop during pregnancy (
Part II).
It is encouraged to consult with your health care provider prior to becoming pregnant or as soon as possible after conceiving so that your health can be assessed and precautions taken, if necessary.
Pre-Pregnancy Risk Factors:
While health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer and diabetes increase risk during pregnancy, other factors such as carrying more than one baby, the woman’s age and physical characteristics, or a problem pregnancy in the past can also contribute to a high-risk pregnancy.
There are many pre-existing health conditions that can contribute to a high-risk pregnancy, a few of which are outlined below:
-Heart Disease: It may come as no surprise that the number one killer of women in America also contributes to increased risk during pregnancy. If heart disease is severe before a woman becomes pregnant, the risk is even greater. Because pregnancy puts increasing demand on the heart, heart disease may worsen during pregnancy, or its symptoms may appear for the first time. In many cases, women with heart disease give birth to healthy babies with no long term effects.
Because the risks associated with heart disease and pregnancy increase as the pregnancy
progresses and can affect the fetus, regular visits to your healthcare provider are important.
-High Blood Pressure: Having high blood pressure prior to pregnancy increases risk during pregnancy. Pregnancy can make high blood pressure worse and can lead to conditions such as preeclampsia, an increase in blood pressure occurring only in pregnant women. Risks include an underdeveloped fetus, placental abruption and stillbirth. If your condition is conducive, your physician may prescribe medication to help with high blood pressure. Any woman with high blood pressure should be closely monitored by medical professionals during pregnancy.
-Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea and HIV also pose risks during pregnancy. Many sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea and Chlamydia can be transmitted to the baby either through the placenta or during delivery. Chlamydia increases the risk of a premature birth and can give the baby conjunctivitis, an eye infection that can also result from gonorrhea. Herpes can be passed to the baby during childbirth and cause herpes encephalitis, a dangerous brain infection. The risks associated with STDs during pregnancy vary, and discussing proper precautions or treatments with your health care provider is encouraged.
Many health conditions can contribute to a high-risk pregnancy in addition to those described above. Other factors, such as a low socioeconomic status, age (below 15 or over 35) and previous problem pregnancies also increase risks. Early and regular medical care during pregnancy can help identify risks that may be associated with pregnancy and lead to a personalized healthcare regimen to minimize those risks.
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: high risk pregnancy, pregnancy risk, pregnancy risks
