If you’re struggling with painful periods, unexplained infertility, and/or chronic pelvic pain, the best endometriosis specialist in Fairfax wants you to know that answers — and relief — are possible.
Endometriosis, a condition affecting millions of women, is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed.
Here’s what you need to know about this condition, how it impacts your body, and what you can do to take control of your health.
What Exactly Is Endometriosis?
When tissue that lines the inside of your uterus grows outside of it, it is called endometriosis.
This tissue acts just like the uterine lining. It thickens, breaks down, and causes bleeding like your menstrual cycle.
However, because it has nowhere to go, it becomes trapped, leading to complications such as cysts, adhesions, and severe pain.
Who Is at Risk for Developing This Condition?
This condition can actually affect any woman during their reproductive years, but it usually affects those between the ages of 15 and 49.
However, it’s most commonly diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s.
Women with a family history of endometriosis, those who have never given birth, or those with shorter menstrual cycles (less than 27 days) may be at a higher risk.
What Are the Causes of Endometriosis?
The exact cause isn’t yet fully understood, though experts believe there are multiple factors that contribute to its development, including:
- – Retrograde menstruation: When menstrual blood flows backward instead of out of the body
- – Genetics: Greater likelihood to develop it if immediate family members suffer from it
- – Hormonal imbalances: The growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, potentially from estrogen
- – Immune system dysfunction: The immune system does not recognize and destroy misplaced tissue
How Can This Condition Affect You?
It’s so much more than just painful periods. It can impact multiple areas of your health, including:
- – Chronic pelvic pain: The pain may worsen over time and persist outside of your menstrual cycle.
- – Period irregularity: Heavy, prolonged, and/or irregular periods are common symptoms.
- – Digestive issues: Bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and painful bowel movements can occur, often mistaken for IBS.
- – Pain during sexual activity: Many women experience discomfort, including sharp pains during and/or after intercourse.
- – Fertility struggles: The condition can lead to inflammation and scarring, making it harder to conceive.
Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis
You may only experience a couple of symptoms or you may experience them all, and they range from mild to severe. They may include:
- 1. Intense menstrual cramps that don’t improve with over-the-counter pain relief
- 2. Pelvic pain before, during, or after periods and / or during or after sex
- 3. Heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding
- 4. Bloating, nausea, and digestive problems
- 5. Fatigue, especially around your menstrual cycle
- 6. Difficulty getting pregnant
There Is Hope: Common Treatment Options
This condition may not have a cure, but it can be managed with the best endometriosis specialist in Fairfax.
Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce inflammation, pain, and discomfort.
Birth control pills, hormonal IUDs, or GnRH agonists can help regulate hormones and slow tissue growth.
Laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure, can be used to remove endometrial tissue and adhesions to alleviate symptoms.
For women trying to conceive, IVF or ovulation-inducing medications may be recommended.
Your Search for the Best Endometriosis Specialist in Fairfax Ends at Annandale Ob-Gyn! We Can Help You Finally Put an End to Painful Symptoms
Endometriosis can take a toll on both your physical health and emotional well-being, but you don’t have to suffer in silence.
Call us now at 703-642-7522 to schedule a consultation with a compassionate expert who can create a personalized treatment plan for you.
Relief is possible, and we’re here to help you reclaim your quality of life!
