How can pregnancy be achieved in women with endometriosis?
Many women with endometriosis can conceive naturally. For those who have difficulty, surgery often provides a "window of opportunity" during which the chances of conception increase. When surgery or other treatments fail, women often consider assisted reproductive techniques, such as intrauterine insemination or in- vitro fertilization. Two excellent web sites with comprehensive information about infertility testing and treatment are INCIID, and RESOLVE.What percentage of women are able to become pregnant after diagnosis?
In the study by Dr. Marcoux referenced above, 172 women underwent laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis. Of those, 50 became pregnant within 36 weeks. The authors attributed a 13% increase in the probability of pregnancy to the surgical treatment. To my knowledge, the percentage of women with endometriosis who get pregnant following assisted reproductive techniques has not been well- documented on a large scale basis. Individual clinics may keep statistics on endometriosis patients, however.How effective are the various treatments?
A number of studies have followed women after treatment for endometriosis and have come to various conclusions. Many of the women I've talked with in the support groups who've used drug therapies find the drugs are usually effective during the course of treatment, but symptoms often recur once the treatment is stopped. That was my own experience as well. Additionally, many of the drugs have unwelcome side effects. Surgical effectiveness depends on the skills and experience of the physician who performs the surgery. I've had three surgeries for endometriosis, and I believe the one that was performed by a physician who had advanced surgical training was the most effective. There is an excellent chapter in the "Endometriosis Sourcebook" about "Choosing a Laparoscopic Surgeon."What are the emotional effects of endometriosis?
The emotional impact of endometriosis is often as challenging, if not more challenging, than the physical effects. Most women have endured many years of pain before being diagnosed. Often, they have been dismissed or ignored by the medical profession. I've heard from many women who've been told by their doctors that their pain was their own fault -- that it was psychological in nature, or because they hadn't accepted the fact they were a woman. When we are finally diagnosed, it is almost a relief, a vindication. But if we've heard for years that the pain is "all in our heads," many of us continue to mistrust ourselves as well as our doctors. Even though we know that endometriosis is a physical condition, some of us continue to harbor a deep fear that maybe we brought this on ourselves.Frequently, women tell me that they feel "alone" with this disease. It can be so frustrating to have a disease which few people know about, and even fewer can pronounce. Women with endometriosis are at a disadvantage because our disease has not been popularized in the media.
Endometriosis can cause problems with every aspect of our lives , our relationships, work, and leisure activities. Pain interferes with our ability to live life to its fullest. Stress can adversely affect even the best marriages and relationships. In essence, endometriosis invades the very fabric of our being. However, there is help! And the best place to start is with a support group.
Source:
Endometriosis. Healthywomen.org. http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/endometriosis. Accessed 08/24/09.
