Essay On Endometriosis

Therefore, the scope of information provided is limited to essential information directly related the purpose providing women facts about endometriosis. The facts are brief enough to what the health consumer can reasonably learn in the time allowed. The headings are clearly stated which makes the information provided on this pamphlet easy to follow and promotes learning and interaction among women. This information can aid women to understand about their diagnosis and empower them to make an informed decision. 1,2,2

In endometriosis, this endometrial tissue begins to grow in places outside the uterus. Typical sites include the fallopian tubes, intestines, vagina, and on scars that my form after abdominal surgery. The misplaced endometrial tissue thickens, engorges with blood and bleeds during the menstrual cycle, just like the normal tissue in the uterus. However, there is no place for the abnormally placed endometrial tissue outside the uterus to shed blood. This results in the formation of cysts, scars, and adhesions. This process can also block or affect the fallopian tubes so that conception and pregnancy are less likely to happen. It can also result in complete infertility. Other symptoms of endometriosis are often associated with heavy or painful periods. Risk factors for the development of endometriosis include having a mother or sister with the disorder, never having children, starting the menstrual period at an early age, and frequent or long periods. According to Dr. Camron Nezhat, Laparoscopic Surgeon at Stanford University, 5.5% of women in the U.S are infected with Endometriosis and 30% to 40% are infertile as a result of it.

Endometriosis is classified into different stages such as I- minimal, II- mild, III- moderate and IV- severe. Most cases of endometriosis are classified as minimal or mild which means that there is mild scarring. Moderate and severe endometriosis typically results in cysts and severe scarring. During stage IV infertility is common. Some studies are proposing that women with endometriosis have an increased risk for developing different types of ovarian cancer known as epithelial ovarian cancer. This is the highest risk in women with both endometriosis and primary infertility. The combination of oral contraceptive pills are sometimes used as a treatment for endometriosis and it appears to significantly reduce the risk of endometriosis. The doctors at Mayo Clinic stated that the treatment for endometriosis is surgery or medications.

Later on in life, the mother may have to have a hysterectomy, which is when doctors perform surgery to completely remove a woman’s uterus. If her uterus is removed, it will prevent her from having children naturally. If a hysterectomy is not needed, then the mother may experience miscarriages later on due to the complications from an abortion. These side effects may lead to many emotional effects for the mother and severe hemorrhaging may also occur right after the abortion or several months later due to the procedure

By the age of 50, eighty percent of black women have ultrasound detection of fibroids (Al-Hendy et al., 2013). African American women also suffer more severe symptoms, such as bleeding and pelvic pain compared to Caucasian women (Taylor et al., 2015). African American women represent the majority of cases involving uterine fibroids with the options of treatment including hysterectomy, myomectomy, uterine artery embolization and magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU). Hysterectomy is surgery for the removal of the uterus and is the most common way to treat uterine fibroids. Although hysterectomies are the typical way to treat uterine fibroids, it is also means losing the ability for a woman to bear children. Studies show that more African American women have hysterectomies as a result of uterine fibroids than any other race (Al-Hendy et al., 2013). Most women, including African American women do not prefer hysterectomy because it means a lengthy hospital stay, recovery time, as well as, not having the option to reproduce. Women prefer to save their uterus by finding other options available. Hysterectomy is usually projected as the only option available to treat uterine fibroids and many women have to seek second opinions in order to learn about the other options (Pron, 2015). When given a second opinion, only

Endometriosis is a common but often underdiagnosed disease in women during active reproductive years of 25 to 35 years. Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent chronic pelvic disorder that can cause severe pain and adversely affect fertility. Endometriosis is described as the occurrence of endometrial glands and connective tissue called stroma in the extra uterine mucosa located throughout the pelvis (Solnik, 2015). Therefore, as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) accurately diagnoses this disease, this patient population can increase the awareness become educated about endometriosis treatment options.

Current research has demonstrated an association between endometriosis and certain types of cancers, notably some types of ovarian cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and brain cancer. Despite similarities in

For the majority of the women with endo, the symptom improves after menopause. Making a decision on whether or not to use Lupron for endometriosis is all about weighing the risks of the therapy against the effects of living with the condition, contact the doctor to advise on the best option. Whichever the way that one chooses to go, healthy lifestyle is vital to better manage the

Endometriosis treatment is a subject that has many theories based on a lot of trial and error. The reason there is no clear cut treatment is that no one really knows what causes this disease. Most treatments are used to help control the disease and mitigate the symptoms it causes.

Aside from being told they are too young to have the disease, many teenagers who think they may have endometriosis are said to be crazy, as Ballweg says in her book, “A disease that will be chalked up to psychosomatic problems by some because they lack awareness about endo… one can understand why endo is very challenging for those with it, particularly teenagers” (Ballweg 241). In an experiment, 4,000 women were interviewed, and 61% were originally told nothing was wrong, where 69% of these were gynecologists themselves. More funding and research will lead to more awareness, and problems such as these can be avoided in the future, if the necessary things are done for improvement today.

It is a rare syndrome related to endometriosis causing extensive fertility issues and high risk of uterine ruptures in pregnancy. JL is grieving the loss of fertility and savors the experience of being a mother to a newborn. JL does not have many opportunities to exercise, contributing to uterine atrophy. The obstetrical plan was to deliver LD at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and receive a uterine hysterectomy; however because of the uterine rupture, LD was born by emergency cesarean section in a rural Minnesota hospital and transported to a level three NICU in North Dakota. The obstetrician for JL did not complete a hysterectomy but rather a caesarean procedure to release JL 24 hours later to join LD in the NICU. This added stress and uncertainty to JL’s future, and continuance of the fertility-loss grieving cycle. JL felt she did not advocate for herself appropriately to have a hysterectomy during the emergency cesarean section and in a facility she adamantly did not want to receive care. JL arrived at the NICU, 24 hours after giving birth, and remained in a Ronald McDonald House for twelve weeks in North Dakota. JL had family living nearby and visited her family once every few

According to National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC), in the United States, approximately one-third of all hysterectomies are performed for uterine fibroid (Right Diagnosis, 2015). The 2nd most frequent condition that leads to hysterectomies is endometriosis

Infertility and ovarian cancer are very serious problems that can be developed in women with endometriosis. Infertility is the main problem associated with endometriosis. It can be a major setback for seemingly healthy couples that want to start a family. “Endometriosis is associated with infertility in 30-40% of sufferers (World Endometriosis, 2011)” “The presence of endometriosis may involve masses of tissue or scarring (adhesions) within the pelvis that may distort normal anatomical structures, such as Fallopian tubes, which transport the eggs from the ovaries. Alternatively, endometriosis may affect fertility through the production of hormones and other substances that have a negative effect on ovulation, fertilization of the egg, and/or implantation of the embryo” (MedicineNet, 2013). Although

Endometriosis can be most simply defined as abnormal growth of the tissue that normally lines the uterus, outside the uterus. This chronic disease can range from mild to severe. Mild to moderate endometriosis can lead to infertility and severe cases could be life threatening. Due to the prevalence of this condition, a common concern is fertility in women. There is much debate about how effective treatment via ablation is in fertility.

Studies have discovered that 50% of women who are afflicted with endometriosis develop a case of infertility and must seek corrective surgical treatment to reverse the damage and improve the likelihood of conceiving. Studies also show that “endometriosis-associated infertility in women has been associated with subtle, explicit, or multifaceted abnormalities. Indeed, endometriosis appears to affect every part of a woman’s reproductive tract. Many women with minimal, mild, or moderate endometriosis experience” (Stilley, Birt & Sharp-Timms, 2012, p. 850). Endometriosis causes reproductive irregularities and has a huge detrimental impact on the ovaries and the process of