Treatment of Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain (Multidisciplinary Model)

Endometriosis

The endometrium is the name of the tissue that lines your uterus (womb). Endometriosis is a condition where tissue, like the endometrium, grows in other parts of the body. Usually, these growths occur inside the pelvic cavity in places such as the ovaries, bowel, or a lining of the pelvic cavity and abdomen called the peritoneum. Each month, as the endometrial lining of the uterus, builds up with blood that will be lost during your period, these other growths of endometrial tissue get bigger and can bleed and cause inflammation and adhesions (internal scarring). Some women with this condition do not have many symptoms, whereas others suffer severe pain with periods, pain with ovulation, pain during intercourse and bowel motions, bloating, tiredness and infertility. Treatment includes medication that will help control the pain and inflammation, surgery to remove the tissue growths, and fertility management.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

This is continuing pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis on a daily basis that lasts 3 months or longer. This can be caused by a variety of conditions such as Endometriosis, adhesions, pelvic inflammatory disease, issues with the gastrointestinal tract such as Irritable bowel syndrome, nerve entrapment, and musculoskeletal pain. Treatment involves a multi-disciplinary approach.