Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects 11% of females between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States. To find out whether endometriosis is at the root of your pain and discomfort, seek the expert guidance of OB/GYNs Dr. Huiying Hou and Dr. Elizabeth Ramirez at Jersey Women’s Care Center. To get started, call one of the two locations in Fair Lawn or Jersey City, New Jersey, or request an appointment using the online scheduler.
Under normal circumstances, the tissue that lines your uterus prepares itself each month to receive a fertilized egg. When and if the egg doesn’t arrive, the tissue sheds itself out, culminating your menstrual cycle. With endometriosis, this tissue grows outside your uterus, often draping itself over:
The main problem is that this tissue acts as it normally would inside your uterus, thickening for a potential pregnancy, but when it comes time to shed out, it has nowhere to go. As a result, adhesions may form on your reproductive organs that cause pain and interfere with conception.
Despite its prevalence, there’s no known cause of endometriosis.
The primary signs that endometriosis is present include:
The only way to properly identify the underlying cause of your symptoms is to undergo a thorough pelvic examination at Jersey Women’s Care Center, which is equipped with the latest diagnostic tools, including ultrasound and laparoscopy.
Since the exact cause of endometriosis remains somewhat of a mystery, there’s no single cure for the condition. That said, there’s much Drs. Hou and Ramirez can do to offset your symptoms, such as:
These treatments work well to control the pain and bleeding associated with endometriosis, but they also prevent you from getting pregnant. If you wish to become pregnant, the doctors can treat your endometriosis with a minimally invasive surgery to remove some of the adhesions in your reproductive system that may be interfering with your fertility. Dr. Ramirez performs this procedure laparoscopically using specialized instruments and a camera, which she inserts through small incisions in your lower abdomen.
The bottom line is that how the OB/GYNs treat your endometriosis depends upon your unique situation. Their primary objective is to find solutions that relieve the symptoms while also allowing you to reach your goals.
If endometriosis is affecting your quality of life, call Jersey Women’s Care Center or use the online booking tool to set up an appointment.