Each month we host a free, live online chat where patients can ask the physicians of Fertility Solutions questions about infertility. The last two seminars focused on unexplained infertility and ovulation disorders. The topic for December was ‘Endometriosis’. View the live Q & A below:
Endometriosis(12/14/2011)
7:02
Welcome to our chat discussing endometriosis
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:02
7:04
Endometriosis is a very common disease that we see in reproductive aged women
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:04
7:05
It can present in many different ways and many women may not have any symptoms at all
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:05
7:08
Symptoms that can be present if a woman has endometriosis include worsening pain with periods, ovulation pain, pain with intercourse or bowel movements
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:08
7:09
[Comment From jen jen : ]
What kind of testing is done if there are no symptoms
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:09 jen
7:09
Usually our evaluation starts with an exam and a pelvic ultrasound
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:09
7:11
the ultrasound is to see if we can detect endometriosis of the ovaries. Endometriosis can form cysts in the ovary called endometriomas
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:11
7:11
[Comment From jen jen : ]
Does it affect implantation
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:11 jen
7:12
In some women we believe that it can impact implantation, but the reasons for this are not clear
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:12
7:12
[Comment From Sara Sara : ]
is endometriosis an endocrine disorder or some other kind of disorder?
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:12 Sara
7:13
It is not a hormonal disorder, but a situation where the cells that line the cavity of the uterus which are shed every month as a period, grow outside of the uterus
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:13
7:16
Endometriosis can grow on the ovaries, uterus, bowel, bladder. Every month that a woman has a period these areas of endometriosis also bleed and this can lead to pain and the formation of scar tissue
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:16
7:16
[Comment From Ann Ann : ]
Would you consider endometriosis to be an autoimmune disease?
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:16 Ann
7:16
Great question Ann
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:16
7:17
There is thought to be a possible immune connection to how endometriosis is able to grow
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:17
7:18
women with endometriosis have a higher incidence of certain types of immune disorders
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:18
7:19
Endometriosis occurs or presents most commonly in reproductive aged women
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:19
7:20
[Comment From Sara Sara : ]
what is the onset and course? it is progressive or could it just happen ‘a little bit’ if you had some more painful periods? does it ever remit on it’s own or does it always need treatment?
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:20 Sara
7:20
It can take a variety of courses, from very little disease that does not progress, to very aggressive disease that can spread rapidly
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:20
7:22
Other problems that can cause similar levels of pain include Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary problems and chronic infections
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:22
7:23
The only definitive way to diagnosis endometriosis is through a diagnostic surgery called laparoscopy
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:23
7:24
Most of the disease can be removed at this time, but it may recur
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:24
7:25
Hormones, such as a birth control pill tends to be the most common method to control symptoms if the woman is not trying to get pregnant
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:25
7:27
For a woman diagnosed with endometriosis who wants to have children, but has not been able to, usually we will recommend fertility treatments such as ovulation stimulating medications, IUI and in some cases IVF
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:27
7:28
These treatments have great success in helping woman become pregnant
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:28
7:35
Overall, there is much to be offered in terms of helping with the symptoms of endometriosis or in conceiving if this has been difficult. Each situation, symptoms, location of disease, fertility goals, age of life.. all impact options that we may offer.
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:35
7:37
Thank you for participating in our live chat regarding endometriosis
Happy Holidays from Fertility Solutions
Wednesday December 14, 2011 7:37
7:37