Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue, normally found in the uterus, is found elsewhere in the pelvic region. Endometriosis is an underdiagnosed and undertreated problem.
It is estimated that 1 in every 10 women have endometriosis during their reproductive years, and about 1 in 5 teenagers have the disease.
The problem is that endometriosis not only causes pelvic pain but also negatively affects fertility, can progress over time, and often pain is the only herald of the disease.
Irregular Cycles and Bleeding
In standard reproductive health care, a woman with cycle irregularity or painful bleeding is often trialed on different oral contraceptive pills to ‘regulate’ her period and lessen the pain, despite limited evidence to support this approach. This approach is suppressive, in that it turns off the normal hormonal cycle and with that provides a ‘regular’ bleed that is chemically induced. It doesn’t address or correct the underlying issues such as abnormal ovulation or endometriosis. Those problems often return when the patient stops the pill or wants to try and become pregnant. In RRM, patients are taught how to chart their cycle, using one of several methods that are based on published science. The IIRRM believes that every women is entitled to know her body and to have normal cycle, including ovulation, irrespective of her desire for pregnancy.
Tubal and Pelvic Reconstruction
There are many different causes of infertility, and often more than one cause exists. Issues involving the fallopian tube or distortion of the anatomy of the pelvis are often one of the causes. Tubal blockage, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions are a few issues that can lead to infertility and sometimes pelvic pain.
