A woman’s reproductive system is extremely complex. A variety of components have to work together to enable the body to create another human life. The problem is that sometimes one of those components doesn’t work the way it should. And in the case of endometriosis, that can result in persistent pain for the woman.

Medha Amin, MD, FACOG, Ramya Narayanan, MD, FACOG, and Shamita Bansore, MD, FACOG, specialize in treating endometriosis. If you suffer from this painful problem, visit us at Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Understanding endometriosis and its symptoms

A tissue called the endometrium lines your uterus. When you have endometriosis, though, that tissue grows where it shouldn’t. When endometrium grows outside your uterus, it can impact your periods, fertility, and daily life. 

When it comes to your menstrual cycle, endometriosis can cause:

• Pain that starts before your period and lasts throughout it
• Pain that gets worse as your cycle progresses
• Heavy bleeding
• Long periods
• Spotting between periods

Endometriosis symptoms might not be confined to your period, either. This condition can also contribute to:

• Pain during sex, when you pee, or during bowel movements
• Stomach issues like diarrhea, constipation, and bloating
• Nausea
• Pelvic or low back pain
• Trouble getting pregnant

If these sound familiar, don’t wait to see us. The World Health Organization estimates that endometriosis affects about 10% of women worldwide, and you could be one of them. 

Getting relief from endometriosis

Our team discusses your symptoms. Endometriosis can run in families, so we ask if you are aware of any women in your family tree who may have had it. 

Then, we use diagnostic tools to get a better idea of what’s going on in and around your uterus. This process typically begins with a pelvic exam; however, we may also order an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to complete the examination. 

If we determine that you have endometriosis, we develop a treatment plan for you. We tailor that to the severity of your condition and the symptoms you’re experiencing.

In many cases, medication can manage endometriosis. Hormonal birth control helps many women get relief, for example. 

For women with severe pain, we also offer minimally invasive surgery assisted by the Da Vinci® robotic arm, which enables us to target and remove problem tissue precisely. We can also perform a minimally invasive hysterectomy if nothing else has helped.  

You don’t have to live with painful periods and the other symptoms that come with endometriosis. To explore alternative treatments with our team, call Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd at 630-852-3762 or request an appointment online today.