Endometriosis is a health condition that can touch the lives of women or patients born with uterus/ovaries/mullerian remnants from their teenage years through and even beyond menopause. It is characterized by the unusual growth of tissue outside the uterus that is histologically and pathologically similar to cells in the endometrial cavity (meaning they contain the same parts: endometrial glands or stromal cells like uterine endometrium cells).
In a nutshell, it is cells like endometrial cells that grow outside the uterus where they are not supposed to. (they are not endometrium!!! Or necessarily even from there! But by definition, they look the same in the microscope) They can implant in various parts of the abdomen, the bowels, the bladder, the pelvic side wall, the diaphragm, and even distant places if they spread through the barrier between. Patients may have a lot of pain or no pain and just have infertility or other symptoms like trouble with bowel movements with their cycle. Typically, there is a cyclic component related to hormone swings, but some patients may have daily symptoms. They grow in ectopic and often distant locations, and their pathogenesis is multifactorial. Endometriosis is progesterone-resistant and estrogen-dependent, meaning it feeds on estrogen for growth.
The disease is very treatable, and the symptoms can be eliminated or significantly reduced. At ESSE, we believe the pre-op, post-op, and complementary care and maintenance are essential to whole body care and feeling your best post-surgery. Endometriosis excision is done using precision techniques with no ablation or fulguration of lesions. Lesions are lifted up and removed with scissors and sent to pathology to be examined under the microscope.
During surgery for endometriosis diagnosis and removal, whether or not there is endometriosis, scar tissue, fibrosis, adhesions, and any inflammatory tissue will be removed. If indicated, the appendix will be examined and removed if diseased or inflamed. In this way, the abdomen is fully examined, and the anatomy is optimized. If possible, photos and videos are taken of the entire procedure. Transparency is key.
Very few surgeons in the US practice Western medicine or surgery while truly believing in and combining Eastern medicine and complementary techniques. More of the United States population, especially younger generations (who are in most need of endometriosis and wellness care), are becoming increasingly aware of the positive results, benefits, and risk reduction of using Eastern medicine to treat ailments and complement their care.
Endometriosis lesions often result in discomfort, fertility issues, and a range of other symptoms. Symptoms can vary depending on the patient and do not necessarily correlate with how advanced or big the disease is. Small early staged lesions can trigger pain receptors and cause as much pain as large nodules and stage IV disease.
While it was once believed to affect the abdomen mainly, we now understand that endometriosis can influence various organs and distant locations in the body. Diagnosis may be linked to cyclical symptoms, but for some individuals, it’s a daily struggle they must navigate.
Up to 50% of cases where infertility cannot be explained might have roots in endometriosis.
