At Modern OBGYN Care in Pembroke Pines, Florida, our empathetic physicians, Dr. Marcela Torres and Dr. Miguel Torres, often see patients struggling with painful periods. If you’re dealing with unbearable pain and frustration every month, we understand you need answers. This month in the blog, we dig into a common cause of painful periods and explain how we can help.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (the endometrium) starts growing outside the uterus. Usually, it grows in the immediate area, for example, on the outer uterus, ovaries, or Fallopian tubes. But, it may appear anywhere, even in odd places like the forearm.
Each month, these misplaced tissues react to hormonal changes, just as your uterine lining does. This is what causes inflammation and pain.
As your body tries to heal from the inflammation, adhesions — thick scar tissue — can develop. Adhesions are sticky, which can cause pelvic organs to glue themselves together, causing even worse pain.
The main sign that your period pain might be endometriosis is its severity. Endometriosis-related pain tends to be quite intense. For many women, the pain is downright debilitating and keeps them from living a normal life.
Some other symptoms that endometriosis commonly causes include:
If you have these symptoms alongside severe period pain, it’s time to reach out to our team at Modern OBGYN to start getting answers.
To diagnose endometriosis, our doctors typically combine a medical history review, pelvic exam, imaging studies, and sometimes, a minimally invasive laparoscopy for definitive diagnosis.
Your diagnosis opens up multiple treatment options. We tailor your endometriosis management plan for you, based on your symptoms, medical history, and goals for treatment.
Treatments range from pain management and hormone therapies to minimally invasive treatment laparoscopy to remove endometrial tissue. If you’re struggling with infertility, we can help you maximize your chances of conceiving.
Though treatments can greatly reduce your pain and improve your quality of life, it’s important to know that neither medication or procedures like laparoscopy provide permanent results. With medication, your symptoms may return if you stop taking the drug. With laparoscopy to remove the endometrial growths, you can expect relief for a long time, however, endometriosis often returns.
Because endometriosis is challenging to treat, deciding the ideal treatment plan is a delicate balance of what works best in your life and what gives you the greatest symptom relief. We’re experts in helping our patients find the right approach for their endometriosis at every stage of life.
If you're experiencing severe menstrual pain or suspect you may have endometriosis, don't hesitate to reach out to us for support. Early diagnosis and intervention can make a big difference in managing endo and improving your quality of life.
Call Modern OBGYN Care today at 754-217-4181 to schedule an appointment. Let's work together toward managing your pain and getting your life back on track.
