Texas Fertility Center in Austin helps put an ‘end’ to endometriosis

Endometriosis awareness matters. Why? Life can be a real pain in the pelvic area for approximately 5 million American women who have it. This often debilitating disorder is a result of small implants of endometrium growing outside the uterus.  This “out-of-place” tissue causes a slew of symptoms. This includes infertility, heavy periods, painful cramps, and pain with sex.

Each March, people around the world join forces to raise awareness and funds for research into this disease. Texas Fertility Center in Austin joins the tens of millions of affected women worldwide in their fight. We are wearing our yellow ribbons and pushing for continued research and a cure.

What causes endometriosis?

As is the case with many diseases and conditions, the cause of endometriosis is not clear; that’s why the need for more research is vital. Medical experts believe the following factors may play a role:

• Girls who have a close female relative with endometriosis are 5-7 times more likely to suffer from it themselves.
• A faulty immune system failing to identify and destroy tissue growing outside the uterus may lead to endometriosis.
• Estrogen production or exposure appears to exacerbate endometriosis, leading researchers to take a closer look at the role of hormones in the development and progression of this disease.

The long road to diagnosis

Studies suggest that it may take – on average – 10 years from the onset of symptoms to the time that a woman is given a definitive diagnosis of endometriosis. Why so long? Common symptoms — chronic pelvic pain before and during menstrual periods; heavy menstrual flow; infertility; and pain during sex, urination and bowel movements (caused when the endometrium grows on the bladder and bowels) — vary among women and disguise themselves as symptoms of other conditions. The only way to verify endometriosis is to undergo a laparoscopy.

What you can do to raise endometriosis awareness this March

Researchers are focusing on understanding the exact causes of endometriosis in order to develop the appropriate treatment for each patient.  Our very own TFC physicians have recently started a study with Myriad Laboratories that will hopefully identify specific tissue markers that can identify endometriosis without the need for surgery.  While there’s no cure for endometriosis, there are several options to slow the progression of the disease and to bring relief.

This March, Texas Fertility Center in Austin encourages you to donate to research, host a yellow tutu tea party (more details here), or comment on social media sites.  http://www.endomarch.org/event-info/

For more information on endometriosis, contact us at Texas Fertility Center in Austin or visit http://txfertility.com/shedding-some-light-on-endometriosis/