Do I Need Surgery to Treat Endometriosis?

When it comes to treating endometriosis, finding answers can be extremely frustrating. Even though it is a very common condition, women experience endometriosis very differently. Endo journeys are unique and personal. With only 100 endometriosis specialists in the United States, it can be hard to not only receive a diagnosis but also find proper treatment options that fit your needs. Endometriosis treatment is not one-size-fits-all, meaning surgery is not the stand-alone answer to treating endometriosis or managing symptoms. A variety of treatment options are available, and to be ensured effective, treatment plans should be personalized to individuals. Before surgery, there are other methods to consider depending on your level of severity. 

Home Remedies for Managing Symptoms

If you have not yet received a treatment plan for endometriosis, home remedies may provide relief from symptoms and help manage the condition. Different types of heat such as warm baths or heating pads can be used to relax the pelvic muscles and reduce cramping. Turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial to those experiencing endometriosis symptoms. This spice is available in capsule form, or as a comforting tea. If you’re looking for ways to manage endometriosis symptoms long term, there are a variety of anti-inflammatory foods that can be incorporated into one’s diet to help with pain, including broccoli, celery, salmon, chia seeds, and blueberries. 

Medications 

Pain Medications

People who experience mild endometriosis symptoms are often advised to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help treat symptoms, such as ibuprofen. For some, these medications may help control pain. However, if you find yourself taking the maximum dose with no improvement in pain or symptoms, it may be time to try a different treatment approach. 

Birth Control

Over the years, hormonal contraceptives have become a common “go-to” solution for treating endometriosis. Birth control can lessen or even eliminate a woman’s menstruation, resulting in a decrease of endometrial tissue and activity of the implant lesions that can be found within the tissue (causing endometriosis in the first place).  While the birth control pill may be an effective solution for some, it is not the best solution for many. This method may mask endometriosis symptoms by suppressing a woman’s period, so the birth control pill is not a good solution for a woman who is trying to conceive. Some women may experience negative side effects when taking the pill, such as uncomfortable bloating, headaches, and mood swings. Although birth control is considered an endometriosis treatment option, it’s more of a band-aid than a true solution. 

Is Surgery the Most Effective solution?

There is more than one option when it comes to surgery for treating endometriosis and different women make better candidates for each type of surgery. Through laparoscopic surgery, endometrial growths are excised without damaging the reproductive organs. A hysterectomy is often used as a last resort if one’s condition doesn’t improve with other treatments. Surgery depends on one’s individual endometriosis experience and future goals. The Kaldas Center is happy to work with you to find your best option. 

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery used to remove the endometrial tissue. At the Kaldas Center, we have found excising endometrial tissues from the affected areas is the best solution for treating endometriosis. Our surgeons achieve this by using a small incision made just above the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery is a good treatment option for women who wish to get pregnant as it keeps the ovaries and uterus intact and may help them with their goals of conceiving. Studies suggest that women who have surgery experience a 62.5 percent improvement or resolution of pain by their second period or cycle. 

Hysterectomy

During a hysterectomy, a surgeon removes the uterus, cervix, and ovaries. These organs make estrogen, which causes the growth of endometrial tissue. Additionally, they will remove visible implant lesions The lesions must be cut out in addition to hysterectomy, otherwise there may be no improvement or worsening symptoms. Microscopic sites of endometrial implants may be present and will grow, becoming symptomatic due to the hormones a woman naturally produces. Women who go through hysterectomies will not be able to get pregnant. Even after receiving a hysterectomy, a woman may still experience symptoms until reaching menopause, when her endometriosis will often wither away. 

Personalized Treatment Plans Vary Due to Different Factors

Endometriosis treatment depends on many factors, including the severity of the condition, the patient’s age, and if endometriosis is affecting fertility. Approximately 1 in 4 women with mild endometriosis require no treatment, with the condition going away completely on its own. Whether you need help managing symptoms or you think it’s time for surgery to treat your condition, finding a specialist and receiving a personalized treatment plan will help stop your pain, and help you get your life back. 

Your First Step: Finding An Endometriosis Specialist

As we’ve learned, endometriosis treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Trust an endometriosis specialist to help you find the personalized treatment plan you deserve. Finding a specialist may mean the difference between lifelong pain and infertility, and feeling healthy, achieving conception goals, and getting one’s life back. 

Don’t Live in Pain, The Kaldas Center is Your Endometriosis Specialist

The Kaldas Center is here to provide you with support and help you find answers to the endo pain you are experiencing. If something seems abnormal, trust your gut. We know finding answers can be frustrating, but don’t give up. Every woman experiences the stages and symptoms of endometriosis differently and it’s important to work with an endometriosis expert for your customized plan of care. Let us help you make that plan. Call the Kaldas Center at 920-886-2299 to start a discussion about your health and develop a path towards your wellness and life-changing relief.