Being a woman comes with many privileges like being pregnant and giving birth. However, many women have endometriosis, a condition that may affect fertility. Endometriosis in Boynton Beach is a common problem. Moreover, this condition is associated with painful symptoms that can affect a woman’s ability to function and complete tasks in time.
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The female reproductive system
Different organs make up a woman’s reproductive system. Some of the organs include ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. Every part plays a huge role in fertility. The ovaries are responsible for producing and storing female reproductive eggs, known as the ova. The fallopian tubes provide passage forte ova and are also the site for implantation. The uterus is meant to support a growing embryo/fetus while the cervix and vagina act as a passage for sperms, menstrual fluid, or a baby.
What is the endometrium?
The best way to understand the functions of the different parts of the female reproductive system is to look at a woman’s fertility process from a holistic view. The female body undergoes menstruation every month. This process is crucial for fertility and involves releasing an egg by the ovaries, traveling through the fallopian tube for implantation. During this time, the uterus prepares for a potential pregnancy. Therefore, blood flow increases to the uterine linings to make them stronger and capable of carrying a fetus. However, if the woman has not had unprotected sex and there are no sperms to fertilize the released egg, the endometrium breaks down and leaves through the vagina blood.
What is endometriosis?
Reproductive health plays a vital part in infertility. Endometriosis is a condition specific to women where the endometrium grows outside the uterus. As the thickening of the uterine walls continues as they should spend every month to support a potential pregnancy, sometimes the tissues displace and grow abnormally, causing irritation and inflammation.
What are the risk factors of endometriosis?
This reproductive condition does not occur to every woman. However, certain factors can put a woman at risk of developing endometriosis, including:
- Genetics: Women with a family history of endometriosis have a higher chance of developing the disease.
- Retrograde menstruation: This condition involves menstrual fluid flowing backward into the pelvic cavity.
- Taking estrogen medications like family planning options can cause cell changes that can result in endometriosis.
- Uterine abnormalities
Symptoms of endometriosis
Many women complain of feeling pain, especially around the time of their menstrual cycle. Other symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Painful intercourse
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Infertility
- Heavy periods
What is the treatment for endometriosis?
Women seek treatment to relieve symptoms or to fix their fertility issues. Medical practitioners need to personalize treatment to fit the needs of the patient. Some treatment options to consider include:
- Hormone therapy: This treatment helps balance hormonal levels and includes things like contraceptives.
- Surgery: This option eliminates endometrial tissue while preserving the uterus and ovaries.
- Total hysterectomy: This surgical procedure removes the uterus when the woman does not wish to get pregnant in the future.
Schedule your appointment at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists to find out the cause of your endometriosis and undergo the appropriate treatment procedure.
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