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Surgical treatment consists of surgical removal or ablation of the endometriotic lesions. Depending on the location of the lesions, the advancement of the disease, and above all the skills of the operator’s doctor, the procedure is performed using the laparoscopic method or laparotomy.
Late diagnosis or improper treatment of endometriosis can lead to many complications, significantly worsening the comfort of everyday life. Treatment, both operational and pharmacological, give a chance to stop the disease or at least slow its development. Endometriosis is a progressive disease that can lead to the gradual destruction of organs. As a consequence, the symptoms, initially appearing only around the menstrual period, lose their cyclical nature with time and become chronic ailments that accompany a woman throughout the month.
Chronic inflammation that irritates the peritoneum leads to the formation of scar tissue between organs, i.e. adhesions. They can cause irreversible anatomical changes. The method of adhesions is to release them during the operation, although this may also result in the formation of new ones. The most popular dysfunctions caused by adhesions include: intestinal obstruction, obstruction of the fallopian tubes, and intestinal motility disorders.
- Discuss your symptoms with your gynecologist. Make an appointment
Endometriosis can also impair fertility, although the lack of any testing as to whether endometriosis is the direct cause of infertility or merely limits it. It is known for sure that fertility in women diagnosed with endometriosis is ten times lower than in healthy women. It is estimated that about 40-50% of infertile women suffer from endometriosis. Research shows that it is more difficult for women to get pregnant, and the problem increases with the severity of the disease. On the other hand, it’s important to remember that being with endometriosis does not automatically mean being sterile. Many women with this condition get pregnant naturally, but for some of them, assisted reproductive techniques are the only option.
In rare cases, there is a risk of an immediate threat to life. As a result of neglect, too late diagnosis, a woman may be forced, for example, to have a stoma, remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and in extreme cases, a complete hysterectomy. Progressive disease and changes in the anatomy of organs can cause many ailments: pain during intercourse, discomfort with bowel movements, diarrhea, constipation, and urination disorders. All this leads to a dramatic deterioration in the comfort and quality of life. Living with chronic pain also has mental consequences. It’s hard to come to terms with the unpredictability of the disease, with the limitations it imposes on us. As with any chronic disease – not only the sick person suffers, but also those around him and his relatives. The disease determines our whole life.
That is why it is so important to diagnose endometriosis at an early stage and try to stop the progression of the disease and preserve fertility as early as possible.