Can endometriosis be cured?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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The treatment of endometriosis should be determined based on the individual's specific circumstances. Complete cure typically requires the removal of both ovaries. As long as the ovaries are present, there generally is no talk of a complete cure; treatment can only control the condition. It is possible to surgically remove lesions and use medication to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. The specific treatment for endometriosis should be determined based on factors such as age, whether there is a desire for children, and specific symptoms like painful periods and bleeding conditions.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is endometriosis treated?

The treatment methods for endometriosis depend on the patient's age, the severity of symptoms, and whether they have childbearing requirements. For younger patients who wish to have children, conservative treatment methods are preferable, followed by ovulation induction therapy. For older patients with more severe symptoms, surgical treatment may be considered. If the patient does not have immediate childbearing requirements, a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) can be placed in the uterus. This device releases progesterone and provides excellent treatment results for endometriosis. If the symptoms of endometriosis are severe, manifesting in pronounced dysmenorrhea, excessive menstrual bleeding, or ovarian cysts, then surgical treatment should be considered.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of endometriosis

The causes of endometriosis are not yet fully understood, but the theory of endometrial implantation is recognized by most experts and scholars. The main reason is that during menstruation, endometrial glandular epithelium and stromal cells can retrograde with menstrual blood, enter the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tubes, implant on the ovaries and adjacent pelvic peritoneum, and grow and spread there, forming pelvic endometriosis. Most clinical and experimental data also support this theory, indicating that approximately 70%-90% of women experience menstrual blood retrograde. Additionally, congenital vaginal atresia can also lead to endometriosis, as well as iatrogenic endometrial implantation, such as abdominal scar implantation after cesarean section or endometriosis at the perineal incision site after childbirth. These factors may also contribute to the development of endometriosis.

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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 Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Does endometriosis affect pregnancy?

Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition, which involves the implantation of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility: Firstly, when endometriosis occurs, it often affects the function of the ovaries. For example, ovarian chocolate cysts can affect the release of endocrine hormones in the ovaries, as well as cause ovarian ovulation disorders or premature ovarian failure. Secondly, endometriosis can cause inflammation in the pelvic cavity and adhesions within the pelvis. This will impact the function of the fallopian tubes, causing ovulation disorders in the tubes, as well as disorders in the transport function of the tubes. This can prevent fertilization, or after the sperm and egg have combined, the fallopian tubes may not be able to transport the fertilized egg to the uterine cavity, thus increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Is it easy to get pregnant with endometriosis?

Endometriosis, which has a relatively high incidence among women, refers to the condition where the endometrial tissue is located outside the uterine cavity. This condition can easily lead to infertility. Although endometriosis is a benign disease, it exhibits characteristics similar to those of malignant diseases, primarily manifesting as local infiltration that causes adhesions and can disrupt the function of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. First, it can lead to the presence of chocolate cysts on the ovaries, which can affect the ovulation function of the ovaries. Second, it can sometimes cause adhesions in the fallopian tubes or pelvic adhesions, affecting the egg-pickup function of the fallopian tubes. This prevents sperm and eggs from fertilizing within the fallopian tubes. Even if fertilization occurs, the impaired function of the fallopian tubes may also lead to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.