Definitive Treatment For Endometriosis Pain
August 10th, 2011
Endometriosis is a condition where thelining of the uterus, called the endometrial stroma, is found on other parts of the reproductivetract such as in the rectal-vaginal septum, the Pouch of Douglas, the cul-de-sac, the uterosacral ligaments, the pelvic sidewall, the fallopian tubes, or the ovaries. A hysterectomy can be performed as a last resort to treat endometriosis pain.
Hysterectomy is used as a treatment for severe endometriosis pain if alternative treatments have failed. Hysterectomy is an operation where the uterus is removed, although other reproductive organs such as the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes may also be removed.
There are four main types of hysterectomy that may be performed for the treatment of endometriosis pain. One is total hysterectomy where where there is the removal of both the cervix and uterus. Subtotal hysterectomy is when the cervix is left intact but the uterus gets removedOther types of hysterectomy are the bilateral oophorectomy where the ovaries are removed as well as the cervix and uterus, and the bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy where both the ovaries and the fallopian tubes are also removed. This is preferred treatment option. Ovaries produce estrogen that promotes the proliferation or growth of the endometriosis after the uterus is removed. Therefore, a woman will likely continue to have pelvic pain if her ovaries don’t get removed along with her uterus.
Hysterectomy isexecuted by making a cut on the abdomen or the vagina. A laparoscope may also be used with a vaginal technique. A vaginal or laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy results in shorter recovery periods and hospital stay time.
It is believed that the removal of the organs with the disease will cure the patient of endometriosis pain. However, this may not necessarily be the case. Keep in mind that removing the ovaries presents the best opportunity to cure the endometriosis. However, this still may not be enough if the disease process has spread to organs outside of the uterus.
Hysterectomy can cause early menopause symptoms and leave a woman unable to have children. Hormone replacement therapy may also be required in order to replace the estrogen that the removed ovaries produced. However, estrogen induces endometriosis, which can result in the recurrence of endometriosis pain.
When considering hysterectomy for treatment of your endometriosis, you should use caution. Hysterectomy has lasting effects, and still may not provide a cure in the end. Thoroughly discuss your alternatives with your doctor. Most of all,maintain a healthy lifestyle to better position yourself to fight this disease.
Related posts: