14 March, 2019
Treatment, endometriosis surgery and can I have children after the surgery?
On the occasion of World Endometriosis Day, we dedicate a video and a post to explain the main treatment options for this gynaecological disease, as well as to point out in which cases endometriosis surgery is indicated and if it is possible to have children after the surgery.
Endometriosis is a chronic, benign and gynaecological disease that can affect 2 out of 10 women of reproductive age.
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
As we have said, endometriosis is a benign disease that can affect 10-15% of women and is one of the main causes of pelvic pain. It consists of the appearance of endometrial tissue (tissue that forms the lining of the uterus) in other areas of the pelvis and, sometimes, outside of it. The main symptoms are intense pain and impaired fertility. In addition, if it is not correctly diagnosed and treated it can have serious consequences for women.
Further information:
– Endometriosis – PortalCLÍNIC
TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS
The treatment of endometriosis is based on two lines of action; according to the response, the presence of symptoms and the severity of the disease.
Hormone therapy
The first line of medical treatment is a hormonal treatment, based on contraceptive formulae. This hormonal treatment will aim to eliminate menstruation, leaving the patient in amenorrhoea. In this first line of treatment, the use of hormonal drugs with analgesics will be supported, to avoid or limit the pain caused by endometriosis.
Endometriosis surgery
In a second line, we find a series of surgical procedures that can help treat the disease. Endometriosis surgery encompasses different interventions. Firstly, we find a series of more conservative endometriosis surgeries: on the Fallopian tubes, the ovaries or to eliminate the different nodules that may be in the abdominal cavity or in different regions of the pelvis. On the other hand, we find the most radical form of endometriosis surgery, which would be hysterectomy. This involves removing the uterus completely.
WHEN IS AN ENDOMETRIOSIS SURGERY INDICATED?
Endometriosis surgery is indicated, above all, for patients who, despite following a correct hormonal medical treatment, continue to suffer with pain. Another group of patients for whom endometriosis surgery would be indicated are those who present a more severe stage of the disease. For example, patients who present intestinal occlusive symptoms due to the presence of an intestinal nodule. Another example would be patients with involvement of the urinary tract with consequent kidney damage. In these two cases, the presence of symptoms would not be necessary to decide to perform an endometriosis surgery.
“Surgery for endometriosis is indicated for patients who, despite following medical treatment, continue to suffer with pain and for patients who have a serious stage of the disease”
CAN YOU HAVE CHILDREN AFTER ENDOMETRIOSIS SURGERY?
After endometriosis surgeries, patients CAN have children. However, for this to be the case, the gynaecological surgeon must perform a conservative surgery. To do this, during the surgery the uterus must be preserved In most cases, patients can get pregnant naturally. However, occasionally, patients have to undergo assisted reproduction techniques.
“After endometriosis surgeries, you CAN have children. For this to be the case, a conservative surgery must be performed”
