Pelvic Pain? It Might Be Endometriosis

Women are used to the monthly discomfort that comes with their menstrual cycles, but pelvic pain that’s moderate to severe, or occurs outside your periods, may signal a health issue like endometriosis.

This gynecologic condition is not only potentially painful, it’s also fairly common, affecting about 11% of women between the ages of 15 and 44.

To help you narrow down the potential culprits behind your pelvic pain, Dr. Jack Tubbs and the team here at Associates in Obstetrics & Gynecology are going to spend a little time discussing endometriosis and some treatment options that can relieve the pain.

Endometriosis basics

On the inside of your uterus are tissues that make up the lining of this reproductive organ, which is called the endometrium.

During each menstrual cycle, your endometrium thickens to receive a fertilized egg. When that egg doesn’t arrive, your body sheds the lining out through your periods and you begin the cycle all over again.

With endometriosis, endometrial tissues grow outside your uterus, often attaching to neighboring tissues and organs, such as the:

• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Tissues that hold your uterus in place
• Outside of your uterus

These are the most common areas, but endometrial tissues can grow elsewhere in your pelvis, such as around your bladder, bowels, rectum, vagina, and cervix.

Most of the endometriosis symptoms stem from the fact that these tissues act as if they were inside your uterus and thicken with each menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, they have nowhere to shed out when the time comes and, as a result, you can develop adhesions called endometrial implants that can lead to:

• Painful periods
• Pain during intercourse (it tugs on the adhesions)
• Discomfort during bowel movements
• Lower back pain
• Abnormal bleeding

Depending upon the location of the endometrial implants, this gynecologic issue can also create fertility problems.

Your treatment options for endometriosis

If any of the symptoms above sound familiar, it's time to come see us. After reviewing your symptoms, we can perform a visual examination and use advanced imaging tools to see whether endometriosis is present.

If we confirm endo (the shortened name), we can discuss treatment options with you. The option that’s best for you depends on the extent of your symptoms and your goals.

For example, a frontline treatment for endo is placing you on hormonal birth control, which can control the behavior of the endometrial tissues outside your uterus.

If you’re trying to get pregnant or you don’t want to take hormones for other reasons, this approach may not be best for you. Instead, we can discuss surgical options for removing problematic implants. Dr. Tubbs uses the most advanced techniques available, including daVinci® robot-assisted surgery, to remove the implants.

Before we dive too far into your treatment options for endo, your first step is to come see us. Whether we find endo or not, our goal is to get to the bottom of, and relieve, your pelvic pain. 

To get started, please contact our office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to schedule an appointment.