Endometriosis

When endometriosis has caused you pain, frustration, or infertility, you know that treatment is important for your physical and emotional well-being. Tristan E. Bickman, MD, offers experience and treatment options that may help you relieve your symptoms and return to a better state of health. For a consultation about your endometriosis, call the Santa Monica, California, office or book your appointment online today.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic, painful health concern for women wherein the tissue that normally grows inside the uterine wall — this is called endometrial tissue — is found outside the uterus. With this condition, endometrial tissue can grow in several places, including:

• Pelvis
• Ovaries
• Bladder
• Bowel
• Vaginal wall

When this happens, inflammation and scarring can occur. This can be very painful and may prevent fertility. Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years and may start as early as a girl’s first menstrual cycle.

Dr. Bickman is experienced in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of this difficult-to-manage health concern.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Because endometrial tissue is specialized and changes monthly, this condition is worse at certain times than others. Symptoms often correlate with a woman’s menstrual cycle, and their severity is strongly affected by hormone fluctuations. They may improve with pregnancy and resolve after menopause, but this is not guaranteed.  

The most common symptoms of endometriosis are:

• Painful periods
• Painful ovulation
• Painful intercourse
• Heavy periods
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Fatigue
• Infertility
  

Aside from negatively impacting your physical well-being, this condition can also affect your emotional, psychological, and mental state. Dr. Bickman and the team are mindful of this and especially understand the effect endometriosis can have on your most intimate relationships and the emotional pain it can cause if you are unable to get pregnant.

What is the method for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis?

When you consult with Dr. Bickman, she takes an in-depth health history and performs a thorough physical exam. She takes care to understand your symptoms and to suggest a treatment plan to give you the best chance of relief.

Endometriosis is often difficult to diagnose and may require:

• Pelvic exam
• In-office vaginal ultrasound
• In-office abdominal ultrasound
• Endometrial biopsy
• Laparoscopy
  

Once the areas of endometriosis are located, Dr. Bickman applies a number of approaches to the treatment of your condition.

These approaches to treatment are in an effort to reduce symptoms or remove the endometrial tissues altogether:

• Natural hormone therapy
• Pain medication
• Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery
• Invasive surgery, including hysterectomy
  

Dr. Bickman and the team are fully committed to helping you find relief from your endometrial pain. They offer a multidisciplinary approach to treating endometriosis, which may include specialists from other fields if needed.

If you would like to consult with Dr. Bickman about your endometriosis symptoms, call or book your appointment online today.