March Is Endometriosis Awareness Month: Get Help for Pain!

Because March is endometriosis awareness month, we are providing our Toledo area patients with information about the best treatments for this painful condition.

Retired surgeon Dr. James Croak founded Northwest Ohio Center for Urogynecology & Women’s Health way back in 1973, and was a pioneer in minimally invasive women’s surgery for more than 33 years. Dr. Andrew Croak has proudly followed in his father’s footsteps, helping provide women in the Toledo area with relief from the pain, cramping and difficult menstrual cycles associated with endometriosis.

Our Approach to Treating Endometriosis

At Northwest Ohio Center for Urogynecology & Women’s Health we believe that the best approach to address endometriosis is “multimodal” – meaning we combine a variety of different treatment methods to alleviate the symptoms, as well as treat the underlying cause, of the endometriosis.

We currently offer evaluation and multi-modal treatment that includes medication, hormone suppression, pelvic therapy, and the latest most minimally invasive surgical techniques. This approach enables us to not only reduce the pain of endometriosis, but preserve fertility.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus and on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic lining. The pain of endometriosis is caused during menstruation when the displaced uterine tissue bleeds –but the blood cannot exit the body. If left untreated, eventually scar tissue and adhesions can develop that cause the organs to stick together – leading to even more debilitating pain.

Hormone Therapy for Endometriosis

Since a woman’s menstrual cycle is regulated by hormone production, regulating the hormones with prescription hormone therapy can sometimes be enough to reduce or eliminate endometriosis pain.

Contraceptives, including birth control pills, patches and vaginal rings can stop a woman from menstruating – which may in turn get rid of the cause of the endometrial pain in many cases. Gonadotropin-releasing hormones (Gn-RH) and different progestin are other hormone suppression therapies that can also be used to stop menstrual periods and the growth of endometrial tissue.

Pelvic Therapy for Endometriosis

Karen Liberi is one of only 300 physical therapists in the United States with the designation of Women’s Health Clinical Specialist. She provides specialty physical therapy services to address endometrial pain.

Many people do not realize that there are muscular, fascial and nerve considerations when it comes to any kind of pelvic pain – including pain caused by endometriosis. Pelvic therapy takes a holistic approach to address the body as a whole, and give the woman the tools she needs to help reduce her endometriosis pain – naturally and noninvasively.

By helping to identify specific triggers for pain (nutritional, emotional, positional, and cyclical) and creating a team to address these triggers, dramatic improvements in endometriosis pain can be made. Pelvic therapy treatments may include: external and internal manual physical therapy; myofascial release; connective tissue manipulation; medi-cupping; self-abdominal massage training; biofeedback, and more.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Endometriosis

Dr. Croak also offers several different minimally invasive, robotic and laparoscopic surgeries to remove the problematic tissue and adhesions caused by endometriosis – while preserving fertility. This includes laser surgery, as well as daVinci robot assisted surgery to ablate or excise the endometrial tissue. These minimally invasive surgeries use only tiny incisions and offer a rapid recovery period, with very little risk of complications.

And, for patients who wish to become pregnant now or in the future, minimally invasive surgery to remove the endometriosis (while preserving the uterus and ovaries) may actually improve the odds of becoming pregnant.

Hysterectomy for Endometriosis

For women with more severe or advanced cases of endometriosis that have not responded to more conservative treatments, hysterectomy may be the best option. During hysterectomy surgery the uterus is removed – so no more endometrial tissue can become overgrown and cause pain, scarring or adhesions.

While hysterectomy was at one time considered the best treatment for endometriosis, it is now a last resort – in order to preserve fertility as well as to avoid the health risks of early menopause. However, in cases where hysterectomy is determined to be the best option, Dr. Croak is often able to perform the procedure using minimally invasive daVinci robot-assisted surgery.  This method means much smaller incisions, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery than traditional “open” hysterectomy.

Endometriosis Treatment – Toledo, OH area

Northwest Ohio Center for Urogynecology & Women’s Health is one of only a few gynecologic practices in the Toledo area to offer this exceptional multimodal endometriosis treatment. We know of no other Toledo area OBGYN practice that offers both non-invasive pelvic rehabilitation therapy and a top surgeon who is trained and qualified to perform minimally invasive daVinci robotic surgery.

If you live in the greater Toledo, OH area and are suffering with the pain of endometriosis, Dr. Croak can help you get rid of the pain and get back to living your life. Call Northwest Ohio Center for Urogynecology & Women’s Health for an endometriosis treatment consultation today.

Toledo, OH Area Endometriosis Treatment: 419-893-7134

Perrysburg Gynecologist Team

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