Almost 30% of all female infertility cases involve endometriosis.
This is why it’s so important for individuals who suspect they might have this painful disease to meet with a Boston IVF reproductive endocrinologist in Albany, Rochester, or Syracuse as soon as possible.
MANAGING ENDOMETRIOSIS
If you are experiencing pain related to menstruation, or if you suspect endometriosis may be causing challenges in becoming pregnant, we recommend that you meet with a fertility specialist in order to receive proper evaluation and accurate diagnosis.
Our Central New York Endometriosis Fertility Program provides 35 years of experience through the hands of personalized, local care. Boston IVF’s history of research and experience allows our physicians to help individuals successfully manage even the most complex cases of endometriosis.
We bring together the world’s leading reproductive endocrinologists with local, accessible care right here in Central New York.
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
The tissue that lines the inside of the uterine cavity is called the endometrium. Normally, this lining is shed through an individual’s cervix each month during menstruation.
Individuals with endometriosis experience menstruation very differently. Rather than traveling through the cervix and exiting the body during their period, the endometrial lining is shed down and out the end of the Fallopian tubes, into other areas of the body, such as surrounding the ovaries.
Whether an individual has endometriosis or not, their endometrial cells behave the same way: they grow and menstruate each month. The key difference for individuals with endometriosis is that their endometrial cells are in an abnormal location. When the cells grow and menstruate each month, they can cause inflammation and scarring outside of the uterus.
Left untreated, endometrial lining has the potential to grow to block the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which then prevents successful pregnancy.
ENDOMETRIOSIS TREATMENT
Our goal is to suppress endometriosis, control its progression, and address your symptoms without affecting your fertility.
Your fertility doctors in Albany, Rochester, or Syracuse will create a personalized treatment plan based on your diagnostic testing and medical history, with the objective of utilizing the best treatment option for you.
Successful treatment options include:
LAPAROSCOPY
This minor surgical procedure is one of the most accurate diagnostic tools at for endometrial growth. During a laparoscopy procedure, your doctor can also remove any endometrial tissue found on your Fallopian tubes or ovaries.
IVF
When endometriosis is causing infertility, IVF is often recommended as a first-line treatment to allow successful pregnancy.
ENDOMETRIOSIS FACTS
- Individuals with a uterus who are having difficulty becoming pregnant may discover their endometriosis diagnosis through fertility testing.
- Endometriosis leads to scarring or adhesions in the pelvis and reproductive organs
- Endometriosis can damage or block an individual’s fallopian tubes, impeding the journey of the egg to the uterus
- Endometriosis can cause ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis can cause other problems inside the uterus, impeding embryo implantation and growth
- Your endometriosis diagnosis may be a temporary roadblock in your journey to building a family, but with early detection and treatment, it does not have to factor into your fertility success.
ENDOMETRIOSIS SYMPTOMS
There’s a reason endometriosis sometimes goes untreated: some individuals have zero symptoms. For others, an ‘unexplained infertility’ diagnosis is actually caused by endometriosis – in which case their ‘symptom’ of endometriosis is infertility.
Individuals experiencing symptoms of endometriosis may notice:
- painful menstrual cramps
- painful periods
- low back pain
- pain after intercourse
- painful bowel movements
- abnormal bleeding during menstruation
- infertility
ENDOMETRIOSIS DIAGNOSIS
Although your symptoms may lead you to meet with a reproductive endocrinologist for an evaluation, it cannot be confirmed from symptoms alone.
In addition to a comprehensive medical history evaluation including your history of symptoms, your doctor will need to perform testing in order to confirm a diagnosis of endometriosis. Your doctor will determine an appropriate diagnostic test based on your unique medical history and symptoms. Reliable diagnostic tests include:
pelvic exam: assessing pelvic tenderness
pelvic ultrasound: to display the presence of endometriosis
laparoscopy: an outpatient surgical procedure. A laparoscopy is the only sure way of confirming the presence of endometriosis.
After reviewing your medical history, performing diagnostic testing, and speaking with you about your symptoms, your doctor will be able to classify your condition as Stage 1 (Minimal), Stage 2 (Mild), Stage 3 (Moderate), or Stage 4 (Extensive). The amount of scarring and diseased tissue found via laparoscopy designates which stage of endometriosis is present for you.
YOUR FIRST STEP
Whether you would like to schedule a consultation with a fertility doctor or just need some basic advice, don’t hesitate to call or email us!
