Endometriosis Treatments at Sussex Premier Health

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary significantly from person to person. Some women have severe pain, while others might not have any noticeable signs. Common endometriosis symptoms include:

• Painful Periods – Some sufferers experience pain that stops them from doing everyday activities.
• Chronic Pelvic Pain – There may be long-term pain in the lower stomach or back.
• Pain During or After Sex – This is a prevalent symptom that many women find difficult to discuss.
• Pain When Going to the Toilet – You may feel pain when defecating or urinating, especially during your period.
• Difficulty Getting Pregnant – Endometriosis can damage the fallopian tubes or ovaries.
• Fatigue – Some women often feel unwell or lack energy.

Getting an endometriosis diagnosis is the first step toward feeling better. At Sussex Premier Health, we’ll start by discussing your symptoms and medical history. Because symptoms can resemble those of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, we must be thorough. Our team might suggest the following tests:

• Ultrasound Scan – This can help us identify cysts on the ovaries associated with endometriosis.
• MRI Scan – This provides detailed images of the inside of your body to look for deep endometriosis.
• Laparoscopy – This is the most accurate way to diagnose the condition. It’s a minor surgery where a surgeon puts a thin tube with a camera through a small cut in your tummy to look for tissue patches.

Doctors use various stages to categorise endometriosis. These stages are based on the amount of tissue present and its location. However, the stage doesn’t always match the pain level. You can have Stage 1 and be in agony, or Stage 4 and feel fine.

• Stage 1 (Minimal) – There are small patches of tissue and little to no scarring.
• Stage 2 (Mild) – There are more implants of tissue and some scarring.
• Stage 3 (Moderate) – There’s deeper tissue growth, and cysts may form on the ovaries.
• Stage 4 (Severe) – There’s widespread tissue growth, large cysts, and severe scarring that may stick organs together.

While there’s currently no cure for endometriosis, there are effective ways to manage the symptoms and pain. Your endometriosis treatment plan will depend on your age, the severity of your symptoms, and whether you want to have children. Sussex Premier Health offers:

• Pain Medication – Our recommendations include anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen to help ease the pain.
• Hormone Treatment – The contraceptive pill, the coil, or other hormones can limit the build-up of tissue and stop it from bleeding.
• Surgery – If medicine doesn’t help, we can perform surgery to remove or destroy areas of endometriosis tissue. This is often done during a laparoscopy.
• Hysterectomy – In severe cases, and usually as a last resort for women who don’t want children, we may consider surgery to remove the womb.

You don’t have to live with severe pain or heavy periods. If you suspect you might have endometriosis or are unhappy with your current management plan, let Sussex Premier Health’s gynaecologists relieve your symptoms. Contact us in Sussex today to schedule a consultation.