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Endometriosis Specialist

Arizona Women's Care

OBGYNs located in Scottsdale, AZ

About 10% of all women experience endometriosis in their reproductive years. If you have problems like painful periods, heavy bleeding, and fertility difficulties, you could have treatable endometriosis. The compassionate all-women OB/GYN team at Arizona Women's Care sympathizes with these frustrating issues, and they’re here to help. Call the Scottsdale, Arizona, office, or book an appointment online.

Endometriosis Q & A

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is uterine tissue that grows outside of your uterine lining. This condition affects about 1 in 10 women of childbearing age today. Endometriosis doesn’t always cause symptoms, but for some women, it’s a severely disruptive condition requiring treatment. 

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Endometriosis can cause symptoms such as:

  • Pelvic pain before and during your period
  • Heavy periods
  • Painful urination
  • Painful bowel movements
  • Painful intercourseEndometriosis can damage sperm or eggs or block fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy.

How does endometriosis diagnosis work?

If you have endometriosis symptoms, your Arizona Women’s Care doctor may perform a pelvic exam to check for potential signs of endometriosis. 

For a definitive diagnosis, you need a laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure where your doctor examines your uterine lining through a miniature camera. They may also perform an endometrial biopsy during your diagnostic laparoscopy. The biopsy can check for cancer. 

Your doctor classifies your endometriosis by stage. 

  • Stage 1: minimal superficial tissue
  • Stage 2: mild tissue, deeper than superficial 
  • Stage 3: multiple, deep areas with tissue, small ovarian cysts, and scar tissue (adhesions)
  • Stage 4: many deep areas of tissue, large ovarian cysts, significant adhesions

The stages don't necessarily correspond to your symptoms. You can have no symptoms with stage 4 endometriosis or have crippling pain with stage 1 endometriosis. 

How is endometriosis treated?

Endometriosis treatment depends on your symptoms, the stage of the disease, and your individual needs. Lifestyle changes, such as dietary changes, may help in some cases. Medical treatments may include:

Hormones 

Hormones, usually through birth control like oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUD), injections, patches, or other methods, can regulate or stop periods and reduce your symptoms.

Although hormones can retard endometrial growth and possibly prevent new adhesions, they don’t eliminate existing ones. Your condition usually returns if you discontinue the hormones.

Surgery

Your doctor can remove some adhesions during laparoscopy, which can give you significant pain relief; however, the adhesions often grow back. 

A hysterectomy is an option for intractable endometriosis pain, but losing your uterus also means you can’t bear children. 

The Arizona Women’s Care doctors use the state-of-the-art daVinci robotic system, which requires only a 2 cm incision for hysterectomy. This leaves almost no scarring and allows for a much faster recovery than a traditional hysterectomy.

Arizona Women’s Care has complete endometriosis care in one location. Call the office or book an appointment online today.