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DETERMINING ENDOMETRIOSIS IN THE BOWEL AREA

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:59:37 +0000

Finding endometriosis in the cul-de-sac is often a difficult task, even after laparoscopy. When endometriosis spreads through the pelvic cavity, an affected bladder may be pushed backward toward the bowel, pressing on it. A barium enema, introduced into the bowel to make the bowel sensitized to radiation, allows any growths or deformities in the intestines to show up under the scrutiny of X rays. It is not unusual for doctors to give patients this procedure twice: once early in the cycle, and a second time during menstruation to detect any actual changes.

Diagnosing endometriosis is primarily a medical matter, but it is a personal one, too. Cure requires cooperation. The more information a doctor has, the better your chances for correct treatment. Conquer endometriosis with good sense: Pay attention to your symptoms and keep a log of them. Examine your family history for unmistakable connections to the condition, especially severe menstrual cramps. Be informed about the disease and its diagnostic tools, and tell your doctor everything related to the condition. Do not submit to surgery without a second or third opinion, and be sure the opinions you get are not from doctors who are affiliated with the first doctor you see. Doctors who practice together or refer you to a physician of their choice may tend to think alike. This does not imply they are mistaken in their judgments; you just want to ensure a fresh point of view. Remember, today endometriosis can be diagnosed without a laparoscopy. Your participation in conquering endometriosis can make all the difference!

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UTERUS: MENSTRUAL PATTERNS

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:52:26 +0000

The bleeding patterns of women as they approach menopause are as individual as women themselves. For some women, periods become lighter and less frequent until they disappear altogether. For others, periods are longer, heavier, and more frequent. This sort of bleeding, along with the pain that may accompany menstrual periods, is one of the most common reasons for women to have a hysterectomy. Factors known to affect women’s bleeding patterns include their weight, race, nutritional factors, such as the fat content of their diet, and hormonal influences, which may be inherited or introduced into their lifestyle as hormones in the form of tablets, injections, implants, patches or ointments. Studies in progress are examining other theories for why unexpected bleeding patterns occur.

Sometimes women bleed after their menopause, that is, after not having had a period for more than a year. If this occurs, it is essential that it be checked by a competent medical practitioner as it may indicate the presence of a serious, perhaps even life-threatening, disorder such as cancer. In the case of Susan, spots of blood appeared on her underwear at the age of fifty-eight, six years after her menopause. Initially, she thought wear and tear during intercourse might be responsible for the spotting, but when it continued and bore no apparent relation to when she had sex, she raised the matter with her doctor. A vaginal cream containing oestrogen that Susan had been using for three years to reduce vaginal dryness was the probable culprit. However the doctor conducted vaginal and pelvic examinations and took a Pap smear before taking a specimen of cells from the endometrium (a gynoscan). This showed that the endometrium had become quite thick, which can occur when vaginal creams containing oestrogen are used after menopause. The gynaecologist performed a dilatation and curettage (D and C) to remove the endometrial build-up and reduced the dosage of oestrogen in the cream she was using to ensure that the same problem did not recur.

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HORMONAL TREATMENTS FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS: GESTRINONE

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:14:41 +0000

Gestrinone is a weak synthetic progesterone originally developed in the 1970s for use as a once-a-week contraceptive. First used as a treatment for endometriosis in the early 1980s, it has since been used in clinical trials in several European countries. It is not currently available in Australia.

How Gestrinone works

Gestrinone appears to work by suppressing the secretion of oestrogen by the ovaries, causing the endometrial implants to degenerate and waste away.

Dosages of Gestrinone generally used

At the moment clinical trials are still trying to identify the most effective dosage. It appears that dosages of 2.5 to 5.0 milligrams two or three times a week are likely to be effective.

Side effects of Gestrinone

The side effects are reported to be moderate and similar to those of Danazol, and include acne, increased appetite, vaginal discharge, irregular vaginal bleeding, headaches, decreased breast size, nausea, weight gain, excessive hair growth and depression.

How effective is Gestrinone

Early clinical trials have indicated that Gestrinone is an effective treatment for endometriosis and that overall it is as effective as Danazol. Its future role in the treatment of endometriosis is not known at this stage.

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