09 April 2015
The reproductive specialists at Medfem Fertility Clinic are experts in dealing with fertility related endometrial problems. If you believe that endometriosis is preventing you from falling pregnant you can arrange to see one of our specialists on +27 (11) 463 2244.
Q: Why do we not have enough Endometriosis Specialists in South Africa? A: There is a decreasing number of medical specialists in relation to head of population in general and some specialties are more popular than others at different times. Endometriosis is a condition seen and managed by just about all gynaecologists at some point.
Q: Why do we only have a handful of doctors in South Africa that provide excision surgery? A: Excision is the treatment of choice for severe symptomatic endometriosis and many of the cases are complicated. The surgery is best done after detailed imaging by adequately trained individuals often in combination with other specialist surgeons skilled in other organs that might be involved. Most of the patients with endometriosis facing fertility issues are non-symptomatic and have mild to moderate disease with a choice in surgical approach to improve fertility outcomes
Q: Why do doctors misdiagnose Endometriosis so often? A: It is often difficult to diagnose as investigations generally do not help. Patients may seek help from different specialists for the same symptoms, for example gastroenterologists for irritable bowel like symptoms. Surgical recognition is the most definitive way to diagnose it but even at surgery mild to moderate endometriosis might not be easily detected to the unfamiliar eye. It is often not a misdiagnosis but failure to make a definitive diagnosis.
Q: Can endometriosis be cured? A: Endometriosis can be removed surgically and medically and the body can clear it as well so it may regress to the point of not being visibly or symptomatically present any more.
Q: I had stage 3 Endometriosis and my doctor managed to remove all of it. What are my chances of falling pregnant naturally now? How long does it take for your menstrual cycle to regulate? A: Surgical removal of endometriosis increases pregnancy rates whether spontaneous or assisted. The menstrual cycle is related to multiple factors so it would depend on how it was before.
Q: I came across a product in Dischem called Fertivor? Is this a legit product and is it safe to use with Glucophage XR 500mg? A: Fertivo is a nutritional supplement and will not be a problem with Glucophage.
Q: How long after surgery to remove endometriosis is the ideal time to fall pregnant? A: The ideal time to fall pregnant after surgery to remove endometriosis is from the next cycle onwards.
Q: Is Preg Omega Plus a good supplement to take while TTC (when you have endometriosis)? A: It is a pregnancy supplement so a reasonable choice.
Q: Is dysmenorrhoea a symptom of Endometriosis? A: Dysmenorrhoea certainly can be a symptom of endometriosis but not necessarily.
Q: What kind of doctor should one see to have endometriosis removed? A: A gynaecologist or fertility specialist if the problem is specifically fertility related. Fertility specialists are not the doctors to treat symptomatic endometriosis unrelated to trying to conceive. Most gynaecologists have experience with endometriosis and will refer if they are not experts.
Q: Is it possible to have PCOS and fibroids at the same time? A: Yes because they are part of a polygenetic predisposition to oestrogen related disorders.
Q: Is there any way to prevent endometriosis from recurring once it has been removed? A: Prevention is through medical adjuvant therapies sometimes combined with lifestyle management, stress, diet, exercise etc.
Q: Does endometriosis go away… how do I check if it’s still there.. what risks besides infertility are there? A: If there are no symptoms then no checks are recommended, many people have endometriosis without knowledge and symptoms so it is not necessary to intervene.
Q: Is the disease deadly? A: Endometriosis is not a deadly disease.
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