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According to OB-GYN Montgomery County Dr. Rania Ibrahim, endometriosis can be described in one word: painful.

According to OB-GYN Montgomery County Dr. Rania Ibrahim, endometriosis can be described in one word: painful. First, there’s the physical pain that accompanies the disorder ranging from pelvic pain to awful periods to uncomfortable intercourse. Then there’s the emotional pain.

The pain and suffering that accompany endometriosis can impact a woman’s life in more ways than one. They find themselves avoiding friends and family due to unexpected bouts of physical pain, not being able to participate in sports or take part in day-to-day activities, or having anxiety over work because of absences and, of course, experiencing infertility.

But your OB-GYN Montgomery County says that an endometriosis diagnosis doesn’t have to be a life sentence. Following are some facts and best ways to deal with endometriosis.

  1. Endometriosis affects an estimated one in 10 women during their reproductive years. If you’re one of the 176 million women suffering from endometriosis, it’s important to realize that this disorder doesn’t define you, the relationships you have or the life you live. Taking that all-important first step is the key to better managing endometriosis.
  2. On average in the U.S., it takes 10 years from the onset of symptoms to receive an accurate diagnosis of endometriosis. When it comes to your body, you know it best. If you’re experiencing what you believe to be abnormal pelvic pain, see your OB-GYN Montgomery County. A pelvic exam can reveal high suspicion of endometriosis and an ultrasound may identify cysts, but a laparoscopy is the only true way to confirm endometriosis.
  3. Women who have a close female relative with endometriosis are 5 to 7 times more like to have it themselves. Even if you’re not experiencing common symptoms of endometriosis, if you have or had a relative with the condition, consult with your OB-GYN. While you can’t prevent it, you can reduce your chances of developing it by lowering the levels of estrogen in your body.
  4. Women with endometriosis have a significantly higher risk of early pregnancy complications. While women with endometriosis have been known to have issues getting pregnant, your OB-GYN Montgomery County explains that for patients going through IVF, patients do just as well with an endometriosis diagnosis as those with other diagnoses.
  5. There is no known cause or cure for endometriosis. While there’s no cure for endometriosis, women can still live perfectly normal lives and have healthy, successful pregnancies. The key is to identify how to manage your pain and/or infertility.

Treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and whether you plan to try to conceive. If you want to simply deal with the pain, hormone therapy is typically the way to go. Unfortunately, that can impede getting pregnant, so in that case, infertility treatments and/or having a laparoscopy can help.

If you feel that you may be suffering from symptoms of endometriosis – don’t hesitate – make an appointment with OB-GYN Montgomery County today to schedule a confidential consultation.