Appointments
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You always need a referral letter from a doctor.
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You will get a proposal for an appointment at the endometriosis consultation within the week.
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Waiting times are approximately 10 months, depending on the specific medical problem.
Symptoms of endometriosis
The main complaints of endometrisis are:
- Menstrual pain (before/during/after)
- Pain when urinating and/or during bowel movements (especially during the menstruation)
- Pain and blood loss during/after sexual relations
- Fatigue
There is no correlation between the extent of the endometriosis and the severity of the pain complaints.
Occurance of endometriosis
We usually see endometriosis in the small pelvis: this can either be on the outside of the womb or on the Fallopian tubes, bowels, bladder, urinary tract or the peritoneum. We also see endometriosis lesions on the ventral side of the diaphragm.
Child wish
The presence of endometriosis reduces the chance of pregnancy to less than 10% per month. Surgical removal of endometriosis will increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Read more about reduced fertility in women.
Causes of endometriosis
Endometriosis probably occurs when blood enters the abdominal cavity via the fallopian tubes during menstruation. The cells of the uterine lining can implant themselves in the abdominal cavity, causing endometriosis.
Types of endometriosis
There are different types of endometriosis:
- Superficial endometriosis: isolated level areas on the peritoneum.
- Extensive endometriosis: lumps (noduli) that can grow into the surrounding organs such as the bladder, urinary tracts, bowel and the vaginal wall
- Endometriosis cysts (endometrioma’s): cysts in the ovaries.
Treatment
There are a number of possible treatments for this disorder. After the diagnosis the doctor will, together wilh yourself and the other doctors of the team, choose the best solution for you.
