Capital Women’s Care Rockville is known as the home of women’s health empowerment in Rockville, MD. Every day, we’re working to help women take control of those health concerns that are unique to our experience. Despite impacting countless women throughout the world, endometriosis is a poorly understood condition that can significantly impact our quality of life.
Understanding Endometriosis, Its Symptoms, and How We Treat It
This condition impacts women who are in the reproductive years of their lives. Those with endometriosis experience the growth of uterine lining tissue on the exterior of the uterus, most often in the pelvic area. Despite the frequency with which it occurs, it’s common for the symptoms of this condition to go misdiagnosed. This is both due to the range of symptoms that it can cause and a general lack of awareness of endometriosis. Dr. Judith Gurdian and the Capital Women’s Care Rockville team are committed to providing our patients with accurate diagnoses and management strategies for this condition and educating them about it.
Signs and Symptoms
There are a few ways the symptoms of endometriosis can manifest. These symptoms can be mild at first but often escalate to being more severe. Common signs of the condition include:
- Pelvic Pain: This is the symptom most often reported by those suffering from this condition. It typically intensifies during menstruation but can happen anytime during the menstrual cycle.
- Painful Intercourse: It’s common for those with endometriosis to experience pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.
- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Known as menorrhagia, excessive menstrual bleeding is another potential sign.
- Infertility: It’s possible for this condition to contribute to fertility issues and can be the reason for having difficulty bearing children.
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Some patients experience the growth of endometrial tissue within the bowels, which can cause diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Addressing endometriosis requires that you can properly have the condition diagnosed and managed. Only through effective management is it possible to alleviate these symptoms and mitigate the risk of complications. Here at Capital Women’s Care Rockville, we use a patient-centered approach to diagnose and treat endometriosis. This typically involves the following steps:
- Medical History and Physical Exam: A comprehensive medical history and physical examination help identify extant risk factors and rule out conditions with similar symptoms.
- Imaging: Ultrasound and MRI are used to help visualize the tissue in the pelvic area to identify the presence of any abnormalities in growth.
- Laparoscopy: The best method of diagnosing this condition is laparoscopic surgery. This minimally invasive approach inserts a small camera into the abdomen through a tiny incision. This camera is used to visualize the area and identify the growth of endometrial tissue.
Excellent Care and Empowerment Through Education
Our clinic believes that patient education is the cornerstone of helping our patients effectively manage their condition when combined with the proper care. It starts with ensuring that they understand the nature of their condition and how the treatments offered can help. If you’re ready to tackle your struggle with endometriosis, contact our office at (301) 762-5501 to schedule your first appointment today!
