What is Endometriosis?
One common condition that affects women’s health is endometriosis. One in ten women in the United States suffer from endometriosis, a gynecological condition characterized by excess tissue growth outside the uterus. Women with endometriosis develop tissue that mimics uterine tissue outside the uterus and on the reproductive organs inside the abdomen or pelvis. While it isn’t an overtly apparent condition, it can have serious consequences if left untreated.
Endometriosis affects women of childbearing age and comes in four stages. The stages of endometriosis depend on the location, amount, and size of endometrial tissue growth and can be confirmed with a laparoscopic procedure.
Symptoms
Symptoms of endometriosis include pain in the lower abdomen, excessive pain during periods, and pain during sexual intercourse. It is also possible to develop endometriosis without experiencing any apparent symptoms. Women with endometriosis may find it more difficult to get pregnant, as well.
4 Stages of Endometriosis
There are 4 stages of endometriosis. A doctor can diagnose you with a specific stage of the condition through a laparoscopy. Unlike cancer, endometriosis does not escalate in stages. For instance, you may have stage III endometriosis immediately without having gone through stage I and II. Moreover, someone with severe endometriosis may experience less pain than someone with mild endometriosis. The same thing goes in reference to fertility.
One of the telltale signs of endometriosis is period pain. If your period pain has gotten worse, which leads you to miss work or pass on activities, see a gynecologist.
Stage I Endometriosis
Stage I means there’s minimal patches of tissue growth on or around the pelvic organs that are shallow. The inflammation is also minimal.
Stage II Endometriosis
At this stage, there is minimal damage to the pelvic organs. However, the tissue growth is deeper and not as superficial as in stage I.
Stage III Endometriosis
Stage III endometriosis implies that the tissue growth is deep and widespread. The pelvic organs are now affected and scarring and adhesions are also present. The adhesions can cause the patient to experience stabbing pain. Cysts may also be present on at least one ovary.
Stage IV Endometriosis
This is what’s considered severe endometriosis. There is significant tissue growth, and the condition affects organs in the pelvic region as well as the ovaries. The patient is likely to feel pain, and the cysts on the ovaries are large.
Endometriosis Treatment in North Miami, Florida
If you suspect you may have endometriosis, the highly trained and experienced obstetricians at Levin’s Women’s Health Wellness Center can diagnose and treat your condition.
We provide compassionate care and make sure that you feel good about your experience with us. From gynecology and obstetrics to robotic surgery, our specialties are wide-ranging.
We welcome women of all ages and are proud to be a multilingual practice. If you have any questions about our OBGYN services, please call Levin’s Women’s Health Wellness Center at (305) 981-0231 or request an appointment now. Our friendly staff welcomes you to our clinic in North Miami.