ENDOMETRIOSIS

We offer a full range of Gynecological Services.

Endometriosis symptoms can severely impact your quality of life. What you try to dismiss as painful menstrual cramps might actually be a serious disease in need of surgical treatment.

With access to quality endometriosis care, you don't have to suffer in silence any longer.

As a member of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and the American Academy of Pain Management, Dr. Gary B. Sullivan of Statesboro Women's Health Specialists is proud to provide the endometriosis care Statesboro, GA deserves. Reach out to us now or read below for more information about endometriosis pain and the treatment of endometriosis.

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition that occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining is found outside of the uterus.

Common locations of endometrial tissue overgrowth include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments that support the uterus, and tissue covering the bladder and rectum. Because of their irregular placement, the cells cannot shed during the menstrual cycle. Instead, they become trapped in the body. This accumulation causes inflammation, severe pain, scarring, and other symptoms of endometriosis. Excess scar tissue can even cause organs to fuse together.

Endometriosis affects up to 20% of adult women (1 in 5). Research suggests that endometriosis is a progressive disease, meaning it tends to get worse over time. While there is no certainty about what causes endometriosis, we do know it cannot be spread to others.

Endometriosis Symptoms

Patients suffering from endometriosis may have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Chronic pelvic pain

• Painful urination 

• Diarrhea

• Constipation 

• Painful sexual intercourse

• Pain in the lower back and legs

• Severe period cramps

• Heavy bleeding during periods

• Spotting or bleeding between periods

• Fertility issues

• Bloating

• Anemia

• Fatigue
  

Pelvic pain is the most commonly reported symptom of endometriosis. The severity of pain varies and can radiate into the abdomen, back, and legs. Additionally, the pain is sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting. It is also possible for some women to develop endometriosis without chronic pelvic pain.

There is no cure for endometriosis, but many effective endometriosis care options are available to relieve the symptoms.

Testing for Endometriosis

There are 4 stages of endometriosis, classified as minimal (1), mild (2), moderate (3), and severe (4).  Since every woman will experience endometriosis symptoms differently, it can take years for endometriosis to be properly diagnosed. Endometriosis lesions can be difficult to detect with imaging techniques like ultrasounds or MRIs. Thus, a definitive diagnosis of endometriosis may require laparoscopic surgery.

How to Treat Endometriosis

Depending on your symptoms and your fertility concerns, endometriosis treatment options can include one or a combination of the following:

• Pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

• Hormonal treatments and birth control pills

• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists and antagonists

• Progestin therapy

• Aromatase inhibitors

• Laparoscopic surgery

• Pelvic floor physical therapy

• Fertility treatment 

• Hysterectomy

Dr. Gary B. Sullivan and his team at Statesboro Women's Health Specialists in Statesboro, GA have extensive experience creating customized pain relief plans including yoga and exercises for endometriosis pain, a special endometriosis diet and nutrition plan, vitamins, supplements, hormone therapy, and laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis with more severe symptoms. We are here to provide the support you need. Together we will discuss the risks, benefits, and success rates of each medical treatment option, addressing any concerns along the way.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis

In some cases, surgery might be the best option to reduce or relieve painful symptoms from endometriosis. Laparoscopy is the most common procedure for the surgical removal of adhesions and fibroids from endometriosis.

Instead of a large abdominal incision, laparoscopy only uses a small incision in the belly button or lower abdomen. Carbon dioxide is then pumped into the abdomen to help the surgeon see the organs more easily. During this procedure to remove endometrial tissue, the surgeon may also collect tissue samples, remove scar tissue, repair the uterus, or remove the ovaries (laparoscopic oophorectomy).

The procedure usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Patients can return to their normal routines in as little as one week.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

• Less tissue trauma and scarring than open abdominal surgery

• Smaller incisions

• Outpatient procedure

• Shorter recovery time

Can I Get Pregnant if I Have Endometriosis?

Yes, but endometriosis might make it more difficult for you to conceive. Severe endometriosis cases can result in scarred fallopian tubes and ovarian cysts.

Some women with minimal or mild endometriosis don’t know they have it until they notice they're having trouble getting pregnant. While many women with endometriosis struggle with infertility, plenty of them can still get pregnant and have healthy children. Hormonal changes and inflammation may require additional monitoring while you are pregnant.

With the right support and assistance, starting a family is still possible. Dr. Gary B. Sullivan and his medical team at Statesboro Women's Health Specialists are experienced in treating infertility from endometriosis. If you have been trying to conceive for 6 months and haven’t gotten pregnant, reach out to us to get checked for endometriosis and explore your fertility options. We're always here to answer your questions about this common—but often misunderstood—women's health issue. 

To Find Relief from Chronic Pelvic Pain, Contact Statesboro Women's Health Specialists for Endometriosis Treatment Today

Millions of women are afflicted by this invisible disease, and it’s a serious problem that should never be dismissed as “typical period cramps.”

We firmly believe you deserve an experienced physician who will trust your story, listen closely to your pain symptoms, and provide cutting-edge care. Dr. Gary B. Sullivan, FACOG, FACS, is a renowned OB/GYN and endometriosis specialist with a mission to help women in all stages of life live pain-free.

Schedule an appointment by phone at (912) 871-2000 or visit us online here.