The symptoms of endometriosis can vary from person to person, but commonly include:

Pelvic pain: Persistent, chronic pain in the pelvic region is a common symptom of endometriosis. The pain may be experienced before and during menstruation, during intercourse, or throughout the menstrual cycle.

Menstrual irregularities: Women with endometriosis may experience heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, irregular periods, or spotting between periods.

Painful periods: Severe menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, are a hallmark symptom of endometriosis. The pain can be debilitating and may interfere with daily activities.

Pain during intercourse: Many women with endometriosis experience pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse, known as dyspareunia.

Chronic pelvic pain: Endometriosis can cause persistent pelvic pain that is not necessarily tied to the menstrual cycle. This pain may be present throughout the month.

Gastrointestinal symptoms: Some women with endometriosis may experience gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain.

Fatigue and low energy: Chronic fatigue and a general feeling of low energy are common symptoms reported by individuals with endometriosis.

Infertility: Endometriosis can affect fertility and make it challenging for some women to conceive.

It's important to note that the severity of symptoms does not necessarily correlate with the extent or stage of the disease. If you suspect you may have endometriosis or are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Laparoscopic excision surgery is considered the gold standard for diagnosing and treating endometriosis. During surgery, endometrial implants and scar tissue can be removed, and adhesions can be released to relieve pain and improve fertility.

Excision surgery is considered the gold standard of care for treating endometriosis over ablation for several reasons:

Complete Removal: Excision surgery involves the complete removal of endometrial lesions, including the deep infiltrating lesions that may extend beneath the surface. By excising the lesions, the surgeon aims to remove all the abnormal tissue, which can help achieve better symptom relief and reduce the likelihood of disease recurrence.

Preservation of Healthy Tissue: During excision surgery, the surgeon carefully excises the lesions while preserving healthy surrounding tissue. This approach minimizes damage to healthy structures and organs, reducing the risk of complications and preserving fertility potential.

Accurate Diagnosis: Excision surgery allows for a more accurate diagnosis of endometriosis. The excised tissue can be sent to a pathology lab for examination, confirming the presence of endometriosis and providing additional information about the extent and characteristics of the disease. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment planning and management.

Symptom Relief and Improved Quality of Life: Excision surgery has been associated with better long-term symptom relief and improved quality of life compared to ablation. By removing the endometriotic lesions entirely, excision surgery can help alleviate pain, improve fertility outcomes, and reduce the need for additional interventions.

While ablation (burning or cauterizing the lesions) may provide some short-term symptom relief, it may be less effective in completely eliminating the disease and addressing deep infiltrating lesions. Therefore, excision surgery is often recommended as the preferred surgical approach for the treatment of endometriosis.

Unfortunately, no. There are only estimated to be only 100 endometriosis specialists in the whole United States that are up-to-date on best practices and excision surgery. Contact us and we are happy to provide you with a known list of surgeons in the DFW area.

NO! Nothing you did caused your Endometriosis, and you couldn’t have done anything to prevent it. We don’t even know the root cause of Endometriosis, although studies are leaning towards a genetic factor playing a role.

16.78 million people in the United States are estimated to suffer from Endometriosis

It costs, on average, $10,800 per year for someone to treat their Endometriosis

562 hours per year, on average, of work productivity is missed due to Endometriosis

50% of individuals with Endometriosis will experience infertility

There is no known cause, and no known cure. Pregnancy, hysterectomy nor menopause cure endometriosis.

Disclaimer: These are some suggestions from board members personal experiences. This is not medical advice!

Take it easy and rest: After your surgery, it's important to give yourself time to relax and let your body heal. Avoid pushing yourself too hard and take breaks whenever you need them. After excision surgery, it took us about 4 weeks before we were ready to get back to household chores, and about 6 weeks before we were comfortable leaving the home for an extended amount of time. Keep in mind-this is a major surgery and your body needs time to heal.

Accept help: Your body needs time to recover. The more help we allow, the smoother recovery will go. A consensus with the board is we needed someone to help us do a lot for the first week after excision surgery. Plan for family members to come over and help you prepare your meals, shower, stand up, use the restroom and stay on schedule with your medications. The help can make a big difference.

Manage pain and discomfort: You may feel some pain and discomfort after the surgery. Your doctor may give you medicine to help with that. Definitely follow your medication regimen.

Take care of your incision: Be gentle with your incisions. Be careful when coughing, sneezing, or laughing, and support the area with a pillow or your hands. Ask the hospital for a belly band as many can provide one for extra support. Some people have the “my guts are going to fall out” feeling with movement or coughing. Supporting your belly can help this when standing, sitting or moving around. Also, be sure to pack a pillow with you for the drive home to help support your stomach.

Eat well and stay hydrated: It's important to eat healthy food and drink plenty of water to help your body heal. Focus on a well balanced diet.

Follow the doctors orders on activity: Be sure to ask your doctor when you can get back to activity. When you are released, slowly increase your activity level over time, and always avoid doing anything too strenuous or lifting heavy things without your doctor's permission.

Take care of yourself: Practice self-care during your recovery. This can include deep breathing exercises or reading a book. Find activities that help you relax and promote healing.

Seek support: Reach out to your friends, family, us here at EFF or a support group if you need someone to talk to. They can provide encouragement and understanding during your recovery.

Keep track of your symptoms: Pay attention to any changes in how you feel and let your doctor know about anything unusual or concerning. Stay in touch with your healthcare provider and ask them any questions you may have.

Be patient: Remember that recovery takes time, so don't rush it. Celebrate small improvements along the way and be kind to yourself as you heal.

Remember, these are general tips, so it's always best to follow the specific advice given by your doctor.