Endometriosis is an often undiagnosed condition that affects many women. While the condition can be silent, it is typically diagnosed after complaints of painful periods, painful intercourse, cyclic pelvic pain, and/or infertility. The "typical" endometriosis patient is a woman in her 40’s who has not had pregnancies; but as awareness of endometriosis increases, younger women are being diagnosed and treated.

Drs Alan and Rebecca Green are trained in the use of CO2 laser, which can be used during laparoscopy to safely ablate endometriosis lesions.

The classic symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods that are not relieved by NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naprosyn) or by oral contraceptives. Cyclic pelvic pain is often worse in the premenstrual week. Pain with intercourse is often worse around the time of the period. Rectal pain and painful bowel movements can be part of the picture as well. Family history of endometriosis in a close relative is not uncommon.

Although pelvic ultrasound can sometimes suggest endometriosis, if the condition has progressed and involves cysts in the ovaries, the only way to diagnosis endometriosis definitely is laparoscopy. At Evergreen, diagnosis of endometriosis would begin with a careful consideration of your health history and symptoms. There are suggestive clues that we might find on vaginal exam. Ultrasound in our office would be part of the initial evaluation. Laparoscopy would be recommended if we suspect the condition. The disease tends to progress and recur if not controlled leading to infertility, so early diagnosis will allow us to "beat back the disease" and control it until pregnancy is desired.

At the time of laparoscopy, CO2 laser can be used to treat endometriosis by ablating the lesions, draining cysts, and removing scar tissue. Post-operative treatment could include suppression of periods if no pregnancy is planned, or active pursuit of fertility treatment in women seeking pregnancy.