Endometriosis

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Abnormal menstrual periods

Endometriosis

Pelvic laparoscopy

Woman with severe symptoms or disease who do not want children in the future may have surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy), both ovaries, both fallopian tubes, and any remaining adhesions or endometriosis implants. Hormonal replacement therapy may be needed after removal of the ovaries.

How well surgery helps improve fertility depends on the severity of the endometriosis. Pregnancy rates after surgery in women previously considered to be infertile are approximately 75% for mild endometriosis, 50-60% for moderate cases, and 30-40% for severe cases.

Infertility may result from endometriosis, but not in every patient -- especially if the endometriosis is mild. Endometriosis has been known to come back even after a hysterectomy. Other complications are rare. In a few cases endometriosis implants may cause blockages of the gastrointestinal or urinary tracts.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of endometriosis occur, or if back pain or other symptoms come back after treatment of endometriosis.

Screening for endometriosis should be considered if your mother or sister has been diagnosed with endometriosis or if you are unable to become pregnant after trying for 1 year.

Review Date: 05/15/2006
Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.