Endometriosis Treatment in Kent

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition when tissue similar to the uterine lining starts growing outside the uterus, such as on surfaces of the pelvis,  the ovaries, fallopian tubes and abdominal contents. It affects women of all ages and is a long-term condition that can have a huge impact on a woman’s life.

The exact cause of endometriosis isn’t known, but it is hormone-dependent which means that just as the lining of the uterus responds to the hormonal changes through the menstrual cycle, so does the endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, and this will also bleed. This bleeding causes pain, inflammation, scarring and in serious cases, damage to the pelvic organs.

What are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

You do not necessarily have to have symptoms. But if you do they are likely to be:

• Severe menstrual cramps – dysmenorrhoea
• Back pain during your period
• Pain when passing urine or opening your bowels during your period.
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Painful intercourse
• Tiredness
• Infertility

The cause of endometriosis is not fully understood but some experts think it could be menstrual blood that backtracks(retrograde menstruation) through the fallopian tubes. Containing endometrial cells, these enter the pelvic cavity and stick to the pelvic organs.

There is some thought that genetics may play a part. If your mother or sister suffers from endometriosis, you may be more likely to get it too.

Endometriosis Diagnosis

At your consultation with Dr Penman, he will take your medical history and symptoms. He may already have an idea from your symptoms that endometriosis may be the cause.

He will recommend some tests to confirm his working diagnosis.  He may perform a pelvic examination, order blood tests and a formal pelvic ultrasound scan. It is likely that he will wait for the results of these tests before discussing any surgery.

He may feel that performing a laparoscopy may be helpful to assess the extent of the endometriosis and potentially treat it directly with cautery.

Endometriosis Treatment

There isn’t a cure for endometriosis but Dr Penman can use various measures to treat the condition to get you feeling better.

Medication – Dr Penman may suggest over-the-counter pain relieving medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen. He may suggest treatment with Zoladex (a GnRH analogue) which is a hormone that will lower the oestrogen in your body and take you to a phase where you are not having periods, essentially a hormone-induced menopause. This stops the endometriosis bleeding, so less inflammation, less scarring and therefore less pain.

Making An Appointment

You do not need a referral from your GP to come to see Dr Penman to get a diagnosis and treatment for your endometriosis unless of course, you have private medical insurance when a referral is likely to be required by your insurance company.

You can make an appointment by calling the Spire Alexandra Hospital on 01634 687166 or you can go online following the link below and book directly into Dr Penman’s clinic. He has clinics on Monday, Thursday and Saturday morning.

Endometriosis Treatment Cost

• Initial consultation £190
• Diagnostic Laparoscopy  Package £2,900
• Treatment Laparoscopy Package  £3,900