Painful Periods & Intermittent Cramping & Aching? It Could be Endometriosis

By Parveen Vahora, M.D.

Did you know that 10% of women in their childbearing years have endometriosis? The actual number is probably much higher because it often goes undiagnosed. The endometrium is a mucous membrane that lines the uterus. The endometrial tissue and cells normally grows and sheds within the uterus during the female reproductive years. When there is an overgrowth of the endometrial tissue, it begins to grow outside of the uterus onto the ovaries and fallopian tubes. When this happens, it causes extreme pain for many women due to its associated inflammation and tightening sensations, and it’s the continual natural process of shedding the lining (menses) even outside of the uterus.

The actual cause of endometriosis is still uncertain, but hormonal influences, hereditary factors, endometrial cell flow issues, and immune system disorders are all thought to be indicators of the overgrowth of endometrial tissue.

Symptoms of Endometriosis
• Painful periods
• Pelvic pain in between periods
• Excessive bleeding
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse
• Infertility
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Discomfort during Bowel movements and urination

Endometriosis can lead to adhesions, which are sticky bands of scar tissue that adhere and tighten the inner space and organs within the Pelvic floor and womb. Adhesions can cause a great deal of pain on a regular basis and become even more stretched and begin pulling at the organs during the menstrual cycle. This can cause pain with menses, pelvic pain and pain with intimacy

TREATMENT OPTIONS
Medications: ORILISSA is an oral pill that’s clinically proven to relieve moderate to severe endometriosis pain. It’s different—it’s not a painkiller, injection, surgery, or birth control. And, it does not contain hormones. ORILISSA works differently than other endometriosis pain treatments. It is a pill that dials down the amount of estrogen† in the body (estrogen fuels painful endometriosis lesions). Less estrogen equals less fuel for painful endometriosis lesions. ORILISSA is available in 2 doses. Each dose lowers estrogen by different amounts so you and your gynecologist can choose which dose is best for your individual needs.

LUPRON DEPOT is a prescription injectable medication for the management of endometriosis. It decreases estrogen levels to a very minimal level. It can help relieve the pain of endometriosis and reduce endometriotic lesions. LUPRON DEPOT has been prescribed by doctors since 1990.

It offers two different dosing options for treatment which are:
• Injected once every 3 months (11.25 mg dose)
• Injected once each month (3.75 mg dose)

LUPRON DEPOT suppresses the hormones that cause endometrial tissue to grow. LUPRON DEPOT therapy suppresses the signals from the pituitary gland in the brain to the ovaries, which stimulate estrogen production. By doing this, LUPRON DEPOT injections also suppress the hormones that cause the endometrial to grow.

Suppressing the hormones helps:
• Provide endometriosis pain relief
• Reduce endometriotic lesions

Nowadays, there are minimally invasive options with laparoscopy. In most cases, women do not have to undergo long surgeries with large incisions.

Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Laparoscopic diagnostic procedures to detect wear growths are
• Ablations that cauterized the excessive tissue growth (laser, freezing or electrical current)

Dr. Vahora is able to remove endometriosis through laparoscopic methods, relieving patients of pain quickly and effectively. The field of gynecology has seen an emerging trend of minimally invasive procedures (MIP). These advances result in a shorter recovery period, less pain, and less scarring for women than the traditional surgical procedures.

Laparoscopy is the surgical technique where a camera is placed through a small incision in the umbilicus. Two smaller incisions are used to insert the surgical instruments. Laparoscopy allows the surgeon to visualize the entire abdomen and pelvis without making a large incision on the patient’s abdomen.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomies
Having a hysterectomy is a decision one in every three women in the United States will face. In fact, hysterectomy is the second most common major surgery among women in this country. Of those surgeries, approximately one-third will be performed as a minimally invasive procedure that can result in a shorter recovery and leave a smaller scar.

Women do not need to be sidelined by hysterectomies. Dr. Vahora introduces “Not Your Grandmother’s Hysterectomy®.” Those who have a minimally invasive procedure typically return to normal activities in a few weeks. Traditional hysterectomies require an average hospital stay of five to seven days, and complete recovery may require up to two months. In other words, if you are a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure, you could return to your normal life in a much shorter time and experience a less painful recovery. “Not Your Grandmother’s Hysterectomy®,” makes a monumental difference for patients.

Techniques and technology have dramatically improved treatment. You don’t have to live with the pain of endometriosis; there are many alternatives for you to get back to being pain free.

Get the relief and new beginning that you are worthy of. Call (727) 376-1536 today to schedule an appointment or email Info@ParveenVahoraMD.com. During office hours, you can also text to (813) 548 4412.

Parveen Vahora, M.D.
Dr. Vahora specializes in pelvic pain and endometriosis and is passionate about educating fellow physicians and the community on these topics. She is fellowship trained in minimally invasive surgery. Another focus of hers is sexual health and offers MonaLisa Touch® for patients going through menopause, as well as post-menopausal women, breast cancer survivors, and those suffering from pain during intercourse or intense dryness.

To find out more, please visit
ParveenVahoraMD.com or email
info@ParveenVahoraMD.com.

Connie Moler, APRN
Ms. Moler completed her MSN as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Vanderbilt University. Ms. Moler brings her 20 plus years of experience and her joy of caring for women to her position with Dr. Vahora. Ms. Moler is happy to continue taking care of her long term patients and welcomes new patients as well.

Dr. Vahora and Connie Moler, APRN are happy to improve the lives of the patients and their gynecological needs. New patients are welcome! Schedule your consult today.

Source:
https://www.orilissa.com/about/what-is-orilissa
https://www.luprongyn.com/lupron-for-endometriosis