Endometriosis
Seek appropriate treatment for severe abdominal pain.
Endometriosis can be a debilitating illness causing many women in their prime to experience severe pain and difficulty falling pregnant, often rendering them unable to maintain a healthy sex life. Previously ignored as ‘women’s problems,’ endometriosis is a gynaecological issue in need of more discussion and publicity.
It is estimated that as many as one in 10 women of reproductive age has endometriosis with only a small handful receiving appropriate treatment.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common condition where endometrial cells (tissue similar to the lining of the uterus) grow where they shouldn’t—namely in the abdomen, ovaries, fallopian tubes, recto-vaginal septum, bladder, or bowel. These cells function like normal womb lining that break down during menstruation, but they do not exit the body. This can lead to acute pain, swelling, scarring, and fertility issues if the cells grow on the fallopian tubes or ovaries. However, many women experience no symptoms at all.
Women Affected by Endometriosis
Endometriosis can occur in any menstruating girl or woman, but it is most common in women over 30. It is rare, but not unheard of, to present in menopausal women however, as oestrogen levels decline during menopause, the related growths shrink.
The chances of developing endometriosis are increased in women who have never had children, have periods that last more than seven days, cycles shorter than 27 days, or a family history of endometriosis.
Endometriosis and Pregnancy
Despite popular belief, it is possible to fall pregnant with endometriosis. However, up to 40% of women with endometriosis experience difficulty conceiving. If you have endometriosis and are having trouble getting pregnant, Dr Ljiljana offers surgical treatments to remove the growths and improve your chances of conceiving.
Endometriosis with Dr Ljiljana
Dr Ljiljana offers a variety of treatments for women suffering with endometriosis, including laparoscopic surgery. Endometriosis is a debilitating illness, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Speak to Dr Ljiljana to discuss any questions you have about endometriosis and how she can help alleviate your pain and get you enjoying life again.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
The symptoms of endometriosis can differ from woman to woman, with some women having none at all. The most common symptom is pain: chronic pelvic pain, acutely painful menstrual cramps, pain during or after sex, intestinal pain, or period pain.
Other symptoms include:
- Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- Infertility
- Stomach problems: diarrhoea, constipation, bloating
- Depression
- Extreme lethargy
These symptoms aren’t always indicative of endometriosis, so it’s always a good idea to seek professional medical advice first. There is only one way to definitively confirm a diagnosis of endometriosis, and that is by laparoscopic surgery. Most women spend up to 7 years seeking a formal diagnosis and treatment, spending this time being dismissed by doctors and suffering with pain. If you have friends that exhibit these symptoms, encourage them to call Dr Ljiljana.
Endometriosis Treatments
There is sadly no cure for endometriosis, but there are a number of treatments that can help manage symptoms, mainly medications and surgery. Pregnancy can temporarily ease symptoms, but it is important to remember that this is not a cure.
If you’re not trying to get pregnant, hormone treatments can help to reduce endometriosis and lessen your pain. An alternative is the introduction of an intrauterine device (IUD) to reduce bleeding.
If you are trying to get pregnant, surgery is the most effective treatment. A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure where Dr Ljiljana will look inside your abdomen using a laparoscope (narrow, telescopic camera) and remove your endometriosis. Although this is not a permanent solution, many women report successful long-term remission.
Dr Ljiljana Difference
Dr Ljiljana knows that women tend to prioritise the needs of everyone else before their own, which means their health concerns are often overlooked. This is why Dr Ljiljana takes her time listening to you and understanding how you wish to be treated. She then applies her skills and expertise to provide the best possible care with positive outcomes.