Endometriosis in Garden City, NY

If you’re among the 176 million women around the world living with endometriosis, you know how painful and disabling it can be. The experienced women’s health care team at Mesbah OB-GYN in Garden City, New York, also understands how severely endometriosis can affect your life. They diagnose endometriosis accurately and offer effective treatment options that reduce and relieve your pain. To find out how they can help, call Mesbah OB-GYN today or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment. 

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a painful gynecological condition where the tissue that normally lines your uterus (the endometrium) starts growing in other places. The abnormal endometrial tissue functions just like the endometrium in your uterus — thickening, bleeding, and breaking down during your menstrual cycle.

The problem is that because the blood and tissue are outside your uterus, it can’t leave your body through your vagina as it normally would. This abnormal tissue growth triggers inflammation and pain. It may also cause scar tissue development and adhesions (areas where tissues or organs stick to one another).

Symptoms of endometriosis include:

  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Pain during sex
  • Pain with bowel movements or urination
  • Infertility

The Mesbah OB-GYN team performs a pelvic exam and performs an ultrasound scan or laparoscopy to diagnose your condition. 

What causes endometriosis?

It’s not clear exactly why some women get endometriosis. It could be due to a dysfunction of your immune system or problems with the way menstrual blood flows inside your body.

Sometimes endometriosis sets in after surgery, which indicates that scar tissue in the pelvic area could trigger the condition. It could also relate to the transformation of peritoneal (abdominal) or embryonic cells into endometrial tissue.

How is endometriosis treated?

If you have endometriosis, you may be able to control your symptoms using hormone therapies or pain medication. However, these medications may not work for everyone. Treatment for endometriosis depends on several factors, including severity of the condition and your desire to have children in the future. Mild cases may be monitored with regular examinations by our team. Dr. Mesbah may also prescribe or recommend medication for pain relief. It may also be helpful to use a heating pad or take warm baths which can relax muscles and relieve pain.

Birth control pills may be used to stop menstruation and can relieve symptoms by regulating your hormone levels. Hormonal therapy is another option used to prevent symptoms and development of your endometriosis. However, certain types of hormonal medications may prevent pregnancy.

In some cases, surgery is a good treatment option. When possible, conservative surgery removes only endometrial tissue, leaving your reproductive organs intact. This approach increases your chances of having a successful future pregnancy. Surgical treatment for endometriosis involves traditional or laparoscopic surgery to remove growth, scar tissue, or adhesions. Laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive and associated with short recovery times. In severe cases of endometriosis, a full or partial hysterectomy is performed by Dr. Mesbah to remove both Fallopian tubes, and both ovaries, and/or just the uterus. After a hysterectomy, you will not be able to become pregnant. 

Would I need surgery for endometriosis?

For some patients, surgery is a good option. When possible, the Mesbah OB-GYN team uses conservative approaches that remove the endometrial tissue and leave your reproductive organs unharmed. This method helps to preserve your future fertility.

If you do need surgery for endometriosis, the Mesbah OB-GYN team uses traditional or, where possible, minimally invasive techniques to remove plugs of endometrial tissue, scarring, and adhesions. Laparoscopic and robot-assisted techniques cause less pain, and there’s generally a shorter recovery period.

If your endometriosis is severe, your provider might recommend a full or partial hysterectomy. This operation removes both fallopian tubes, both ovaries, and/or the uterus, so you wouldn’t be able to conceive afterward.

To find the right treatment for endometriosis, call Mesbah OB-GYN today or book an appointment online.