Treating Endometriosis

Posted: April 1, 2005

When a woman has endometriosis, the tissue that lines her uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus.

When this tissue grows outside of the uterus, it is mostly found in the pelvic cavity, usually in one or more of these places: on or under the ovaries, behind the uterus, on the tissues that hold the uterus in place, or on the bowels or bladder. Occasionally endometriosis may also invade the diaphragm and intestines.

Typical symptoms may be pain at menstruation, urination, with bowel movements and during sex. Severe forms of endometriosis involving the bowel may cause bowel obstruction or the appearance of blood through the rectum. Similarly, blood in the urine may also be a feature of bladder involvement.

About the procedure
At the Milwaukee Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery, all cases of endometriosis, including the most severe, are performed by laparoscopy. This includes cases where bowel resection has to be performed because of advanced disease of the bowel.

MIMIS is one of the very few centers nationwide with experience in the laparoscopic treatment for endometriosis of the bladder, ureter, bowel and thorax.

Most cases are performed on an outpatient basis with discharge from hospital the same day. Other patients stay for less than 24 hours and are discharged the following day. Patients requiring bowel resection stay in hospital for about four days. Return to work may be anticipated after one to three weeks depending on the surgery.

Improvement in pain is experienced by the majority of patients. A pregnancy rate of over 50% is attainable, depending on the severity of the endometriosis and other related problems.

Source: Milwaukee Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery (www.mimis.us)

We Have Answers Do you have medical questions or need help finding a doctor? The experts at Columbia St. Mary's and Advanced Healthcare can help. Click here.