Endometriosis Specialist
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The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF
Edward J. Ramirez, MD, FACOG
Infertility & Fertility Preservation Specialist & General Gynecology & Minimally Invasive Surgery located in Monterey, CA
If you experience heavy, painful menstrual bleeding or are having trouble getting pregnant, you may have a common gynecological condition known as endometriosis. At The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF, in Monterey, California, founder Edward Ramirez, MD, FACOG, expertly treats mild cases of endometriosis with hormonal therapy and removes severe endometrial adhesions with minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Whether you’re suffering from pain or want to get pregnant, he has a treatment option for you. Contact The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF online or by phone today to set up an endometriosis evaluation.
Endometriosis Q & A
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition that affects approximately one in every 10 women during their reproductive years. The endometrium is the tissue that lines the inside of your uterus and becomes engorged with blood during your menstrual cycle. If you don’t become pregnant, your endometrium sheds its outer, blood-rich layer, and you menstruate.
If you have endometriosis, endometrial cells grow outside of your uterus, as well. They may appear on your:
- Uterine exterior
- Ovaries
- Fallopian tubes
- Bladder
- Bowel
Each month, this aberrant tissue also engorges with blood and then attempts to shed its top layer. However, the blood has nowhere to go and can cause pain and discomfort. The presence of endometrial cells outside of the uterus also triggers your body’s inflammatory response, which can lead to scar tissue that increases pain and may impair fertility.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Not all cases of endometriosis cause symptoms. You could have a severe case of endometriosis and have no symptoms at all, while a mild or moderate case could trigger a series of painful and uncomfortable symptoms, such as:
- Pelvic pain
- Back or leg pain
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Painful intercourse
- Painful urination or defecation
- Infertility
If you’re having trouble getting pregnant, Dr. Ramirez conducts an evaluation to determine if endometriosis is involved.
How do doctors treat endometriosis?
Although no cure exists for endometriosis, Dr. Ramirez may recommend over-the-counter painkillers to alleviate discomfort. Mild cases may also improve with short-term hormonal therapies.
Dr. Ramirez expertly removes endometrial adhesions with minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery if you’re in pain or wish to increase your chances of conception. You may need to have short-term hormonal therapy after your surgery to eliminate microscopic endometriosis.
Can I get pregnant with endometriosis?
Treatment or surgery alone may be enough to resolve your fertility issues. However, if you have severe endometriosis, Dr. Ramirez may recommend the course that he and his wife took more than 10 years ago. They conceived their first child through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and then implanted the embryo directly in her uterus, bypassing her endometriosis.
Women with endometriosis whom Dr. Ramirez treats with IVF often conceive their next child without assistance. If you suspect you have endometriosis that’s impairing your fertility, contact The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF by phone or book an appointment online today.
