Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition, affecting around 1 in 10 women. It occurs when tissue similar to that which lines the inner wall of the uterus, the endometrium, grows in other locations, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, sacroiliac ligaments, bladder, kidneys, or any other organ in the body.

Are women nowadays shying away from talking openly about endometriosis?

Period pain is almost taken for granted among women. It is often even dismissed among women’s conversations and with a short “how do you do that, period pain is normal!”, it is treated as something to be expected. This can be very stressful and demoralizing for women with endometriosis, so they avoid speaking out. This situation is made difficult by the fact that the disease was for a very long time almost unknown in medical education. It has, however, been known for over a hundred years and has been proven to actually exist.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Severe period pain is a very common symptom among patients suffering from endometriosis. However, the pain can occur both period-dependent and period-independent and can be caused almost anywhere in the body.

Typical symptoms of endometriosis are very painful periods and heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding. Women with endometriosis also often suffer from:

• pain in the abdomen or lower back
• pain when urinating or defecating
• pain during intercourse
• bloating in the intestine
• nausea and vomiting

Does endometriosis affect a woman’s fertility?

It is now undisputed that endometriosis can make it difficult or even nullify a couple’s desire to have children. One reason for this is that the disease can change a woman’s anatomy, such as blocking the fallopian tubes or pushing eggs into the ovaries. The second point is that egg quality is significantly worse in patients with endometriosis. Consequently, the ability to fertilize decreases more rapidly than in women without endometriosis.

Is IVF the only way for a woman with endometriosis?

In vitro fertilization it is not a one-way street for a woman with endometriosis. A percentage of women with endometriosis who have fertility problems do become pregnant after medical help, either through surgical removal of endometriosis lesions or through technologies assisted reproduction.

Many couples, therefore, choose her in vitro fertilization because numerous studies have shown that it has a very good chance of conceiving in women with recurrent endometriosis.

What are the latest developments in modern surgical techniques for endometriosis and which do you consider most effective?

Management of endometriosis should be individualized according to the needs of the patient (symptoms, age, desire for pregnancy). The surgical treatment of endometriosis cases is apparently a simple matter, but in fact it is highly specialized and serious, as in advanced cases there is infiltration of the pelvic nerves, bowel, diaphragm, ureter and bladder.

The attending physician must be prepared to deal with such situations with its use laparoscopic or robotic surgery and specialized techniques, often used in Gynecological Oncology. Simultaneously with the use of laparoscopic or robotic surgery, endometriosis removal is carried out with maximum safety, without injuring adjacent healthy tissues and organs in the woman’s body. That’s why, after all, with the modern surgical techniques we ensure the ideal combination of patient safety and successful endometriosis removal.