Heights OBGYN

Endometriosis

Get Relief From Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain

There is no reason for women to suffer unnecessarily with endometriosis symptoms, such as pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding. Our San Antonio OBGYNs have the training and experience to expertly diagnose this condition. Our caring physicians and staff help women feel better, with carefully designed treatment plans that get patients back to living better lives.

What physicians know about endo

Physicians and researchers really don’t know what causes endometriosis, or endo. Current research focuses on everything from genetics and hormones to problems with the immune system or menstrual period flow issues. While nobody knows the exact cause, we do know that certain things increase women’s risk of developing endo.

  • Periods that last longer than seven days
  • Shorter menstrual cycles, with periods every 27 days or less
  • Starting to menstruate before age 11
  • Having relatives with the condition, including a sister, mother or aunt
  • Never giving birth
  • Having health issues that block the normal menstrual flow from leaving the body

Most women who get endo are in their 30s and 40s, but any female can develop the condition.

The most common symptom of this condition is pelvic pain

Endometriosis occurs when the uterine lining, or endometrium, grows in areas of the body where it doesn’t belong, such as the ovaries, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, rectum, bladder or intestines. These growths, or implants, bleed during menstruation. However, unlike menstrual flow, this blood can’t exit the body through the vagina, so it causes pelvic pain, inflammation and scar tissue. Scar tissue can cause adhesions that lead to complications.

Here are some of the common symptoms.

  • Deep, vaginal pain, during or after sexual intercourse
  • Pain that occurs during urination or bowel movements, especially during menstruation
  • Painful period cramps
  • Bleeding or spotting between periods
  • Digestive issues, including constipation, diarrhea, nausea and bloating, especially when women have periods
  • Fertility problems

How do our San Antonio OBGYNs diagnose and treat endometriosis?

Women with undiagnosed endo may wonder if they will ever live without pain. Our OBGYNs are here to tell patients there is light at the end of the tunnel. Diagnosis begins with a pelvic exam, often followed by imaging tests such as an ultrasound or MRI. Imaging tests help our physicians find any ovarian cysts.

If they do discover a cyst or cysts, they may prescribe either hormonal birth control or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH) agonists to help with painful symptoms. Physicians sometimes insert a hormonal IUD, or intrauterine device, to help with pain and bleeding.

If medication or an IUD doesn’t solve the problem, there are minimally invasive procedures that help, including laparoscopy to diagnose and treat the condition or surgery to remove endometrial implants.

Our highly skilled physicians have the training and expertise to help women who have endo

There is hope for women who suffer from the symptoms of endo. It’s vital to seek out our San Antonio OBGYNs, who have the knowledge and experience to recognize the condition and provide up-to-date treatment techniques. Contact us to make an appointment.