Endometriosis Specialist

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is an often-painful women’s health condition that causes uterus tissues to grow outside of your uterus. It might affect your fallopian tubes, ovaries, or tissues lining your pelvis in some cases. Endometriosis can cause unpleasant symptoms, infertility, and other complications. See Dr. Gomes at the first sign of a problem. 

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Common symptoms associated with endometriosis include:

• Pain with sex
• Painful periods
• Pain with urination
• Painful bowel movements
• Excessive menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding between periods
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Nausea 

Seeking treatment early helps reduce the risk of complications, including infertility and even ovarian cancer in some cases.

What are the risk factors for endometriosis?

While any woman can develop endometriosis, common risk factors include:

• Starting your period at a young age
• Never giving birth
• Low body mass index (BMI)
• High levels of estrogen
• Heavy periods lasting more than seven days
• Severe cramping or pain with menses
• Short menstrual cycles of less than 27 days
• Reproductive tract disorders
• Family history of endometriosis
• Certain medical conditions 

Symptoms of endometriosis could develop a few years after your first period and go away after you’ve reached menopause. The symptoms might improve during pregnancy, but every woman is different.

How does my provider diagnose endometriosis?

To find out if you have endometriosis and treat it if needed, Dr. Gomes discusses your medical history and symptoms with you. He completes a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, and may recommend you undergo an ultrasound, an MRI, or to get a more in-depth view of your reproductive organs.

What are common treatments for endometriosis?

Your personalized endometriosis treatment plan could include:

Medications

Taking medications can reduce unpleasant symptoms associated with endometriosis

Hormone treatments

Birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and other hormone treatments can also reduce unpleasant endometriosis symptoms and the risk of complications. 

Fertility treatments

If you have endometriosis and struggle with infertility, Dr. Gomes reviews fertility treatment options with you.

To find out if you have endometriosis or get treated for the condition, call the Women's Healthcare of Garden City office at 516-222-8883 today.