ENDOMETRIOSIS

 

     Endometriosis is a condition whose predominant symptoms are pain and infertility. Patients report pain with menstrual periods, with intercourse and often pain during urination or while having bowel movements.  Importantly, the amount of pain does not equal the severity or the number of lesions.  Some patients have severe pain with very few, surface lesions, and some will have very extensive disease but remain without symptoms.

     Endometriosis is caused by endometrial cells that usually line the inside of the uterus.  In endometriosis, these cells are found outside of the uterus: on intestines, tubes and ovaries, and generally on the inner walls of the pelvis.  To learn more about endometriosis, please visit this link on Wikipedia.

 

Unique Integrative Approach Supported by Continuous Innovation

 

     At Bess Women’s, we see thousands of patients with endometriosis and understand how important it is to integrate a number of successful techniques to treat endometriosis and keep it from recurring.  Collaborating specialists in a variety of medical fields perform the latest genetic testing, use the newest imaging tools, apply dietary regimens, prescribe medical treatments and surgically treat endometriosis with robotic surgery and lasers.  Such a close collaboration of specialists and treatments brings the best results.

     We base our beliefs and methods on continuous innovations based on the latest in medicine.  Our specialists conduct daily research of scientific literature in their field, identifying novel medical developments, findings and breakthroughs.  We understand that our patients depend on us to introduce successful state-of-the-art treatments and weed out those that do not show promise. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Immune System Enhancement

 

     It is well known that the immune system plays an important role in your body’s ability to fight endometriosis.  Patients who have chronic auto-immune diseases such as Lupus, are known to have an increased chance of having endometriosis and rapid recurrences after treatment.  At Bess Women’s, we understand that having a healthy immune system is very important to effectively treat endometriosis. We have engaged anti-aging and nutritional specialists whose task is to enhance patient’s own immunity.  Immune optimization includes a number of breakthrough techniques utilizing the latest genetic and immunology research to guide treatments.  We develop an individualized treatment program that customizes vitamins, supplements, diet, behavior and exercise.  Prior to the treatment, an extensive range of tests is performed.  We test your blood for a number of immunity indicators.  Special tests are performed on food tolerances.  Genetic testing is done to understand your body’s ability to digest certain nutrients and medications.  All of these tests are vitally important in guiding an individualized treatment program.

 

Medical Treatment

 

     In general, medical therapy consists of 2 approaches:

• Decreasing production of estrogen.  This includes taking medications that stop estrogen production by ovaries (i.e Depo-Lupron injection).  These medications typically have a number of side-effects because the patient is placed in a state of rapidly induced. menopause.  In addition, this group of medications should not be used for over 6-12 months as they can cause severe bone loss and other menopausal conditions.

• Overpowering estrogen with progesterone.  This includes taking progesterone-predominant birth control pills, taking progesterone pills alone or even inserting an IUD (Intra-uterine Device) containing progesterone. 

Medical and Immune treatments can provide significant improvement.  Some patients, however, do not improve enough and will likely need surgical removal of endometriosis.  For these patients, medical and immune treatments are also very important to keep the endometriosis from recurring.

 

Surgical Treatment    

 

     There are numerous ways to treat endometriosis.  Our preferred method of endometriosis removal is with CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser.  This tool has very special properties that are difficult to replicate with other modalities.  CO2 laser allows treating endometriosis lesions very close to vital organs without damaging them.  Aggressive laser vaporization of endometriosis on delicate organs such as intestines, large blood vessels, bladder and ureters (tubes carrying urine from kidneys to bladder) is what makes the difference in a successful endometriosis treatment.

 

      Dr. Oleg Bess has completed a minimally invasive fellowship sponsored by the Society of Reproductive Surgeon with Drs. Camran Nezaht, Farr Nezhat and Ceana Nezhat.  He was one of the first minimally invasive fellows in the United States, utilizing the laser and laparoscopic techniques to treat endometriosis.  Dr. Oleg Bess has performed thousands of surgical cases for thousands of very satisfied patients.