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Endometriosis

Endometriosis is the growth of tissue from the endometrium into parts of the pelvis where it does not belong. When it grows, this tissue can be found throughout the abdominal cavity and typically engulfs the internal organs.

The result of all of this unwanted and misdirected tissue growth can be extremely painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, pain with sex, painful bowel movements, and constant backache (to name just a few symptoms!). Those symptoms combined with uterine fibroids make for a very low quality of life for the woman who is unfortunate enough to experience both at the same time.

Endometriosis and resulting symptoms are heavily impacted by a woman's menstrual cycle. The ebb and flow of the hormonal tide in a month seems to play a role in both growth of endometriosis and the severity of symptoms experienced. There is no "cure" for endometriosis and even hysterectomy cannot prevent the return of this disease within the pelvis.

Treatment options are limited and generally involve progesterone, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or birth control pills. Several, extremely experienced, laparoscopic surgeons have reported excellent results with laparoscopic removal of endometriosis tissue--but these skilled surgeons are a rarity.

When fibroids are present along with endometriosis, this presents a treatment dilemma. Use of hormonal remedies is problematic as these very remedies that might help with endometriosis may also cause the fibroids to grow. Except for GnRH, which, of course, cannot be used for more than six months.

With uterine artery embolization research there was tremendous hope that this procedure might be beneficial to patients with endometriosis. Alas, it is not. In fact, UAE is not recommended as a treatment option for women with endometriosis as it simply does not resolve the pain issues and may, quite possibly, contribute to infections requiring hysterectomy. While there has been some endometriosis research, truly it is limited.

Early studies looking at mifepristone as an option were extremely promising but were discontinued when researchers found it impossible to obtain the drug. Clearly, we need more research. If you are a researcher interested in possibly doing studies on mifepristone and endometriosis, please send me email. If I can help, I will. We need this research. Desperately.

Link
Site Name/Author
What You'll Find
http://thehealthchannel.com/
reference/referencearticle.asp
?docid=46397&catID=36&
rootcatID=36&co_id=EL001
thehealthchannel.com How to get Your Doctor to Listen. Discusses how to communicate with your doctor for obtaining a proper diagnosis and treatment for endometriosis.
www.scmc.org/endo/
html/reprint7.html
David Redwine, MD Endometriosis Persisting After Castration - Removing Disease, Not Organs, Key To Long Term Relief
www.endomagazine.com/ Web Jewels The first online magazine dedicated solely to endometriosis. Incredible collection of stories and helpful articles.

diabetes.medscape.com/adis
/DTP/2000/v16.n03/dtp
1603.02/dtp1603.02-01.html

You must be registered at Medscape before this link will work.

Medscape

Many Hormonal Treatments to Choose From for Endometriosis. Drug & Ther Perspect 16(3):5-8, 2000

Links to Medscape articles will not work without first registering with the website at: www.medscape.com.

www.endozone.org/ Astra Zeneca
Pharmaceutical
Endometriosis Zone. Message Board. Debate on treatment for endo. Monthly news on research.
www.adlap.com/ Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons of New York, LLC Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons-- including Dr. Harry Reich -- the gynecologist who brought laparoscopy to gynecology over 10 years ago in the U.S.
www.geocities.com/
HotSprings/Spa/8509/endokit.html
Sherry K. Endo Sisters Survival Kit. Pretty complete listing of doctors and websites of interest to women struggling with endometriosis.
www.thriveonline.com/
health/endo/seek.whatis.html
ThriveOnline What is endometriosis?
www.wdxcyber.com/
npain.htm#endohyst
Woman's Diagnostic Cyber

Women's Health Articles on Pelvic Pain:

  • Hysterectomy for Endometriosis in Young Women
  • Does Endometriosis Always Cause Pain?
  • Ultrasound Diagnosis of Endometriosis
  • www.endocenter.org/ Endometriosis Research Center Non profit organization dedicated to establishing a center to conduct research and provide women education and treatment with endometriosis.

    womenshealth.medscape.com/
    reuters/prof/06.28/od06289a.html

    You must be registered at Medscape before this link will work.

    Medscape Reuters 6/28/99
    Endometriosis Described 300 Years Ago: Review of July issue of Fertility and Sterility.
    www.centerforendo.com/ Center for Endometriosis Care
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Dr. Lyons, Dr. Albee
    The Center for Endometriosis Care was founded to diagnose, treat, and educate women with endometriosis.
    www.scmc.org/endo.html St. Charles Medical Center
    Bend, Oregon
    Endometriosis Treatment Program
    www.endometriosisassn.org
    Endometriosis Association The Endometriosis Association (EA) is a non-profit, self-help organization founded by women for women. The EA is dedicated to providing information and support to women and girls with endometriosis, educating the public as well as the medical community about the disease, and conducting and promoting research related to endometriosis.
    http://www.obgyn.net/
    endo/articles/nutrient.htm
    OBGYN.net Excerpt from the book Endometriosis. A Key To Healing Through Nutrition by Dian Shepperson Mills and Michael Walter Vernon
    www.frii.com/~geomanda/endo/
    witsendo.html
    WITSENDO We're Interested in Treatment and Support for ENDOmetriosis. Monthly post.
    www.universityobgyn.com
    /enmetrio.htm
    Dr. Richard Boesel
    University Ob/Gyn Associates 1997
    What is endometriosis?
    www.frontiernet.net/~ruthb/ Ruth's Page
    Endometriosis & Dioxin
    Endo Discussion board along with other information regarding endometriosis.

    womenshealth.medscape.com/
    Medscape/features/question/1999/
    08.99/q655.html

    You must be registered at Medscape before this link will work.

    Medscape Most commonly reported symptoms.
    www.healthsquare.com/
    pdrfg/wh/chapters/wh1ch08.htm
    PHYSICIANS' DESK REFERENCE, PDR®
    Medical Economics Company, Inc.
    Keeping Endometriosis at Bay

    CystsAdenomyosis

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    This page last updated Saturday, February 02, 2002