Endometriosis and Gastrointestinal symptoms By Iris Kerin Orbuch, M.D.

Did you know that Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are as common as gynecological symptoms in women with endometriosis? Over 90% of women diagnosed with endometriosis initially present with GI symptoms. Bloating is the most common presenting symptom, and is typically reported by 83% of women with endometriosis. In addition to bloating, other GI symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, painful bowel movements, nausea, and/or vomiting, are also common in women with endometriosis. It is interesting to note that GI symptoms are often independent of location of endometriosis lesions in relation to the bowel. This means that you can have GI symptoms without endometriosis actually infiltrating into the bowel. In other words, your endometriosis lesion(s) may be close to your bowel but not necessarily be on your bowel. It is nonetheless important to remember that for some women, endometriosis can infiltrate the bowel, distort intestinal anatomy, or alter normal bowel physiology, which can lead to constipation, bloating, painful bowel movements, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. ( READ MORE )

Uterine-preserving and Fertility-preserving Alternatives to Hysterectomy When Treating Fibroids By Dr. William Parker

For women who wish to preserve their fertility or preserve their uterus regardless of fertility issues, hysterectomy should be a last resort.

When fertility preservation is the goal, it is important for the gynecologist to know the number, sizes and exact positions of the fibroids in order to guide the best treatment.   Fibroids that change the shape of the uterine cavity can decrease fertility and will be best detected using saline-infusion ultrasound, hysteroscopy (telescope looking into the uterine cavity) or MRI (most accurate).  ( READ MORE )