If you have pelvic pain that doesn’t resolve, you need to visit your women’s health doctor. Chronic pelvic pain can be a sign of endometriosis, a condition which will grow worse without treatment. Dr. Vonne Jones at Total Women’s Care of the Heights, in Houston, TX, provides a wide range of medical services for women, including diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. 

What You Need To Know About Endometriosis

Women have a layer of tissue known as the endometrium, which lines the inside of the uterus. The layer can begin to grow outside of the uterus, causing thickening and breakdown of the endometrium.  

When a woman menstruates, the thickened endometrial tissue becomes trapped, causing uncomfortable signs and symptoms like these: 

• Chronic severe cramping 
• Chronic severe pelvic pain 
• Excessive, heavy bleeding 

In addition to symptoms occurring during menstruation, endometriosis can cause problems at other times too, including: 

• Excessive bleeding both during and between your periods 
• Chronic lower back and abdominal pain 
• Pain during intercourse 
• Painful urination or bowel movements 
• Chronic fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation 

If you notice any of the signs and symptoms listed above, you need to visit your women’s health doctor. Your doctor may use several methods to diagnose endometriosis, including: 

• Performing a pelvic examination 
• A transvaginal ultrasound 
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 
• Laparoscopy 

If your doctor confirms a diagnosis of endometriosis, your doctor will recommend customized treatment based on the severity of your symptoms, and if you want to become pregnant. Less severe cases can be treated with medication, which is an excellent choice if you still want to become pregnant. Moderate to severe cases may be treated surgically with a partial or full hysterectomy. 

Want To Know More? 

Endometriosis doesn’t have to rule your life. You can get relief, starting with just a simple phone call. To find out more about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis, call Dr. Vonne Jones at Total Women’s Care of the Heights, in Houston, TX. You can reach her in the office by calling (346) 320-3188, so call today.