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- From: Helen.Sternheim@f109.n321.z1.fidonet.org (Helen Sternheim)
- Sender: ufgate@puddle.fidonet.org (newsout1.26)
- Newsgroups: k12.ed.science
- Subject: Endometriosis (second upload)
- Message-ID: <32115.2B36CC85@puddle.fidonet.org>
- Date: Mon, 21 Dec 92 16:29:30 PDT
- Organization: FidoNet node 1:321/109 - Pioneer Valley PCUG, Amherst MA
- Lines: 61
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- CMC ReSearch Inc. DiscPassage -- Search In Seconds
- Database: The Family Doctor by Dr. Allen Bruckheim
-
-
- $Pretitle{Genitourinary System}
- $Title{What are the Treatments for Endometriosis?}
- $Subject{endometriosis cause treatment}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What are the Treatments for Endometriosis?
-
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- QUESTION: I'm rapidly approaching the time when I must do something more
- about my condition called "endometriosis". I am told there are new medicines
- soon to be available, and that even surgery isn't as complicated anymore, but
- I am hard to convince. Will you please discuss the problem, and offer your
- opinion?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: This painful disease which attacks women of child bearing age,
- deserves attention in this column and I am pleased to offer you the
- information you request. Endometriosis occurs when fragments of the tissue
- which normally forms the lining of the uterus, are found outside of their
- normal location, on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes and even in the abdominal
- and pelvic cavity. These clusters of cells, follow the same pattern as the
- normally situated tissue, and grow and menstruate, but have no way of
- discharging the flow from the body. Thus it accumulates in cysts, which grow
- larger and painful, blocking the tubes and preventing pregnancy. In fact
- endometriosis is the third leading cause of infertility, though pregnancy can
- help end the condition. During pregnancy, cyclic growth of the endometrial
- tissue is halted, and cyst development may be stopped permanently. The
- medications currently available are effective since they trick the body into
- thinking that a pregnancy exists, which halts the production of the hormones
- that cause menstruation. The most commonly used medications danazol and
- lupron are quite effective, but frequently cause serious and unwanted side
- effects, such as nausea, vomiting, acne, excessive hair growth and even
- personality changes. A new drug, nafarelin, is currently under development,
- and is reported to have fewer negative effects, but has not yet been approved
- for use by the Food and Drug Administration, although many physicians would
- like to see the approval procedure hastened. Surgery is less traumatic then
- before, as newer techniques use laser scalpels, and thin, fiber optic tubes
- which permit the surgeon to destroy areas of endometriosis through small
- openings rather than the larger incisions used previously.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-
-
- --
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