Does endometriosis need treatment?

Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Whether or not endometriosis requires treatment entirely depends on the patient's symptoms. If it is a mild case of endometriosis without severe symptoms, the patient can undergo regular follow-up visits. However, if the patient experiences severe abdominal pain during menstruation, it depends on whether the patient has reproductive demands. If there are reproductive demands, medication can be administered; clinically, high-dose progestogens are commonly used to prevent the ectopic endometrial tissue from continuing to grow. If the patient has no desire for childbirth and suffers from severe pain, a hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy may be performed.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does endometriosis need treatment?

Whether or not endometriosis requires treatment entirely depends on the patient's symptoms. If it is a mild case of endometriosis without severe symptoms, the patient can undergo regular follow-up visits. However, if the patient experiences severe abdominal pain during menstruation, it depends on whether the patient has reproductive demands. If there are reproductive demands, medication can be administered; clinically, high-dose progestogens are commonly used to prevent the ectopic endometrial tissue from continuing to grow. If the patient has no desire for childbirth and suffers from severe pain, a hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy may be performed.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
47sec home-news-image

Consequences of Endometriosis

The consequences of endometriosis primarily include abnormal menstruation and infertility, with about 50% of those affected experiencing infertility. The reasons for this stem from the abnormal pelvic structures caused by endometriosis, as well as extensive adhesions of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, and abnormal motility of the fallopian tubes, all of which lead to reduced functions in transporting sperm and eggs. Furthermore, changes in the microenvironment within the pelvis also lead to infertility. Abnormal menstruation is mainly characterized by an increased amount of menstrual flow and prolonged menstrual periods, which can easily lead to anemia in patients.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What tests are done for endometriosis?

Endometriosis is generally diagnosed through color ultrasound and CA-125 blood tests. If the endometrial tissue is located within the uterine muscle, it forms adenomyosis, at which point the ultrasound will show an enlarged uterus and uneven muscle wall echogenicity. Blood tests for the tumor marker CA-125, if elevated above the normal level of 35, generally indicate adenomyosis. If the endometrial tissue is located in the ovaries, it can form ovarian chocolate cysts, which are visible on the ultrasound as ovarian sections and echoes, with typical ultrasound reports indicating ovarian chocolate cysts. Therefore, routine examinations for endometriosis typically include color ultrasound and blood tests, which can confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is endometriosis serious?

Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrium, which normally lines the uterus and has growth potential, is found outside of the uterine cavity, commonly in the ovaries. The typical clinical manifestation of endometriosis is abdominal pain during menstruation. Such pain intensifies as the condition progresses and can ultimately impact the patient's work and daily life, to the extent that they may not be able to work normally. Thus, endometriosis can become quite severe over time and may lead to infertility in women who wish to conceive.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can endometriosis lead to pregnancy?

Endometriosis can lead to pregnancy, but about 50% of those affected may not conceive. This is because the disease can cause abnormal anatomical structures in the female pelvic, leading to extensive adhesions around the fallopian tubes, thus affecting the movement of the tubes. This, in turn, impairs their function in transporting the fertilized egg. Therefore, for patients wishing to conceive, it is advisable to monitor follicular development with an ultrasound and have intercourse during the ovulation period, which could increase the chances of pregnancy.