Endometriosis isn’t talked about much. Yet, it’s all too common – about one in 10 women in the U.S. has it.
Endometrial tissue can grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and abdominal organs. While the growth is not cancerous, it causes pain and can make it difficult for a woman to become pregnant. The severity of the pain is different for every woman.
If you have a patient suffering from an endometriosis symptom, Norton Women’s Care can help.
Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is a center of excellence for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, committed to offering the most innovative, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery options available.
The hospital is a designated AAGL Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG). The COEMIG program is focused on improving the safety and quality of gynecologic patient care and is designed to expand access to minimally invasive gynecologic procedures performed by surgeons.
Diagnosing endometriosis can involve steps. Surgery may be recommended if other treatments do not provide relief. The type of surgery depends on factors such as age, severity of symptoms and family planning. Surgery always is the last option after medication or hormone management does not work. Surgical approaches:
- Diagnostic laparoscopy – A minimally invasive procedure through small incisions on the abdomen to evaluate the pelvis. Biopsies of suspicious lesions may be taken to confirm endometriosis and guide next treatment steps.
- Laparoscopic excision – A minimally invasive procedure to remove all visible endometriosis lesions from the pelvis.
- Laparoscopic hysterectomy – For women who do not want to have children, hysterectomy may be recommended to remove the uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes. Removing the ovaries is an individualized decision between the patient and her doctor. A minimally invasive hysterectomy is performed through small incisions.
To refer a patient to a Norton Women’s Care OB/GYN, click here for the online referral form, or call (502) 629-1234, option 3.