Procedure - Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects women, where the endometrium, which usually grows as the lining of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus. This disorder usually affects the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the pelvis tissue, sometimes leading to infertility and ovarian cancer. Since this endometrial tissue continues to act like it would inside the uterus; it grows, breaks down, and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Since it is outside of the uterus though, it has no way to exit the body and becomes trapped. Endometriosis causes many painful and frustrating symptoms for women, so Ogden Clinic OB/GYNs in Utah often recommend laparoscopic removal of endometriosis.

Women suffering with endometriosis often experience:

• Pain during or following sexual intercourse
• Pelvic pain, severe cramping, or pain in the lower back and abdomen before and during menstrual periods
• Heavy periods or excessive bleeding between periods
• Pain during urination or bowel movements, especially during menstrual periods
• Fatigue, nausea, constipation, and bloating

Once you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, an Ogden Clinic OB/GYN may recommend laparoscopic removal of endometriosis.

How It Works

A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove mild to moderate cases of endometriosis. Unlike open surgery, your doctor will only make a small incision through which he or she will use an instrument fitted with a camera and light, also called a laparoscope, to remove the endometriosis. If necessary, your surgeon may make a couple other small incisions in the abdomen to be able to fully access the endometriosis. The surgeon will remove any implants or scar tissue that are causing your pain or infertility, and will also remove any cysts found growing on the ovaries. The surgeon can remove this tissue through cutting and extraction, also called excision, or he or she will destroy it with a laser beam, called electrocautery.

Laparoscopic removal of endometriosis is a viable treatment option for women who have not responded to hormone therapy, who are unable to get pregnant due to scar tissue, who have an endometriosis cyst on one of their ovaries, or those with severe, unbearable pain.

If you would like to see if laparoscopic removal of endometriosis is a good treatment option, contact the Gynecology Department at Ogden Clinic in Utah.