EndometriosisIndividualized treatment based on your unique needs

Our team works to address your symptoms and concerns so you can have a better quality of life.

It occurs when tissue that lines your uterus grows outside the uterus. Most often, this tissue grows on your ovaries, fallopian tubes or other pelvic structures. However, it can also affect other areas of the body. It can be painful, and it can make it hard to get pregnant. 

Endometriosis can vary widely. One woman may have severe pain, while another has none. In addition to pain, endometriosis may demonstrate many other types of symptoms. However, there can be other symptoms. Getting help begins with recognizing these symptoms and seeing a doctor. We help women who come to us on their own and those referred to us by other doctors.

Symptoms 

Common endometriosis symptoms include:

  • Bleeding between periods

  • Excessive bleeding

  • Fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or nausea during periods

  • Lower back and abdominal pain

  • Pain during or after sex

  • Pain with bowel movements or urination

  • Painful periods

  • Pelvic pain and cramping before or after your period

  • Trouble getting pregnant

Doctors feel your internal reproductive organs. They look for any abnormalities.

This test uses sound waves to create pictures of your internal organs.

This uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the inside of your body. It can help us get more details about your internal reproductive organs and what may be causing your symptoms. This can be particularly important if we decide surgery is the best treatment for you.

This is a type of surgery. It allows us to see inside your body using a special tool with a camera on it. This alone may help us make a diagnosis. In some cases, we need to remove tissue during the procedure and look at it in a lab.

There are several treatments for endometriosis. We work with you to find the one that fits your goals of care. We work together to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.  If you hope to become pregnant, we can help with that too.

Over-the-counter pain medicine can sometimes help relieve discomfort.

Prescription medication which can help when nerve pain is experienced as a symptom of endometriosis.

Lowering certain hormone levels may lessen pain and keep your condition from getting worse. We may use:

  • Birth control pills

  • Injections

  • Intrauterine devices

  • Patches

  • Vaginal rings

This involves removing areas of tissue overgrowth. Often, we can do this through small incisions using a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a light and camera on its tip.  This may be done through a traditional laparoscope or via the Davinci Robotic system.

This surgery involves removing your uterus and cervix. Sometimes, we remove your ovaries as well. This is known as oophorectomy. To give you the most pain relief, we must also remove any other tissue overgrowth we find.

At UW Health we often treat patients with more complex endometriosis, including patients who have not responded to other treatments. We are happy to see patients to offer a second opinion.

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    A pregnant patient undergoing an exam

    Providing complete health care for women from a young age through adulthood.

    Obstetrics and Gynecology Services

    This treatment involves placing sperm directly into your uterus. It makes it easier for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg. Sometimes we combine this treatment with one that simulates the release of eggs from your ovaries.

    This involves combining a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm in the lab. We transfer the fertilized egg into a woman’s uterus.

    In rare cases, endometriosis is linked to cancer. For women who learn they have cancer, the UW Carbone Cancer Center offers complete care for patients.