Endometriosis is a chronic condition in women that often goes undiscovered and untreated. Many women often mistaken the pain from endometriosis to be “normal” or only associated with their menstrual cycle, therefore believing there’s no reason to seek treatment. If untreated, endometriosis can cause infertility, bloating, painful sex, and other difficulties.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts growing in areas outside the uterus. These growths, referred to as “endometrial implants,” can happen on ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels, bladder, and other places in the pelvic area. The endometrial implants act like the lining of the uterus, breaking down and shedding blood during the menstrual cycle. This often results in pain, scarring and inflammation.

The degree of pain will vary from woman to woman but isn’t the only symptom associated with endometriosis. Any of these additional signs listed below can be an indication of endometriosis.

• Fertility trouble: Endometrial tissue growth on the fallopian tubes can cause blockages or crimps in tubes, making it difficult for an egg to be fertilized.
• Chronic pelvic pain: Pain beyond the time of a menstrual cycle can indicate endometriosis. Additionally, some women may experience painful sex, urination, or bowel movements.
• Abnormal menstrual cycle: Heavy bleeding, long periods, or even bleeding between periods, may be signs of endometriosis.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 10% of women of reproductive age in America suffer from endometriosis. Endometriosis is most commonly discovered in women who are in their 30s and 40s; who have periods that are longer than seven days; who have not given birth and who have a mother or sister with the condition. In fact, if you have a female family member who has endometriosis, you’re five to seven times more likely to have endometriosis yourself.

If you are concerned that you may have endometriosis, start tracking symptoms and patterns. Note when the pain occurs, how long it lasts, and the severity of the pain. The more information you are able to provide a doctor, the more the doctor will be able to determine if endometriosis is likely. A pelvic exam or, in more severe cases, a laparoscopy will help diagnose it as well.

Treatment for Endometriosis

Although the cause of endometriosis is unknown, there are some definitive ways to treat the symptoms. In milder cases, pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and hormonal therapy like birth control, can help decrease the flow and relieve the pain associated with menstruation. Making lifestyle modifications, like regular exercise, massage, and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and gluten can also help women manage symptoms. If those don’t work, laparoscopic surgery may be recommended for women with severe symptoms or fertility issues. Surgery would remove the endometrial implants or growths to help women get pregnant. Patients should be aware that although surgery is a highly effective method for removing endometriosis, it can come back.

It’s important to understand and increase awareness of endometriosis. If you feel that something isn’t right, please talk to a doctor.

This article was written and provided by Cheyenne OBGYN, provider of personalized and compassionate health care in all aspects of obstetrical and gynecological care to women of all ages. Cheyenne OBGYN is located at 2301 House Avenue, Suite 400, Cheyenne, WY. For more information visit https://cheyenneobgyn.com/  or call (307) 634-5216.

Communication is necessary when you are in a partnership or having casual sex. You need to communicate when you both feel comfortable having sex, how you decide to do it, and what protection you use, it is also necessary to communicate if there becomes a health-related issue. Sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STD or STI) can be common once you become sexually active. It is important to practice safe sex and you should consider discussing sexual health with any new partner in order to prevent the risk of STIs. Talking about STIs and STDs can be difficult and stressful, but it is important to have the conversation, for their safety and yours.

Know the facts

If you test positive for an STD or STI, learn the facts so you can have an informed and honest conversation.

Ask your doctor questions about the best way to talk to your partner so you can be better prepared to answer any questions your partner may have. Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor:

•What STI have I contracted, and what are the symptoms and side effects?

•What medication will I be on, and how can my partner receive treatment?

•Do I need to abstain from sex, for how long?

•What are some things I can do to prevent STDs and STIs in the future?

If you have multiple sexual partners, you will have to share this information with each of them. It is important to be tested for STIs regularly, especially after each new partner. Sharing the number of partners, you have had with your gynecologist is important. Your doctor is looking to help you maintain sexual and reproductive wellness, being open and honest is a cornerstone to good health.

Plan what you will say

Prior to your conversation, decide what you would like the outcome to be.

•Would you like to be in an exclusive relationship?

•If you do not want to be exclusive, would you like you and your partner to agree to test yearly, or more?

•How do you expect them to support you, or how you will support them in dealing with a positive diagnosis?

•Consider discussing if you need to have changes in the protection you are using, have you or will you use condoms in the future?

While these topics can be challenging, knowing what you want to come from it will also help you figure out the best way to engage your partner in the discussion, and it will pay off for both of you in the future.

Did you know that February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month? Most people don’t; with Groundhog’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and President’s Day it’s easy to forget. Despite everything else going on, prenatal infection prevention is incredibly important to think about not only during the month of February but throughout a pregnancy.

According to the CDC, infection accounts for 12.5% of deaths in pregnant and postpartum mothers and 36% of newborn deaths. Infections are passed from the mother to the baby during pregnancy or delivery. Luckily, there are many preventative steps that can be taken to protect both the mother and baby.

A great way to help prevent infections is to be sure you are up to date on your vaccines. Before getting pregnant it is recommended that you have all the booster shots such as polio, measles, and hepatitis B. It is also important to double-check that you are up to date on the Tdap vaccine; this helps the transfer of antibodies to the baby.

Another way to help prevent infection is to be mindful of what you are eating. Certain soft cheeses can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can result in listeriosis. While you may just end up with a 12-hour bathroom stint, food poisoning can be especially harmful to your unborn child, so do not eat any raw or undercooked meats. Additionally, avoid any unpasteurized milk and foods, as they can contain harmful bacteria.

Group B Strep is also a bacterium that can be harmful to the baby. 25% of women carry this type of bacteria but do not feel sick. Towards the end of your pregnancy, your healthcare provider can perform a swab test to determine if you are a carrier of this bacteria. If the swab test comes back positive, your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to protect you and the baby during labor and delivery.

Finally, be sure to practice good hygiene while pregnant. Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face when you cannot wash your hands. Research any vacation spots for potential viruses such as malaria or zika, and avoid those who are sick.

There are a lot of potential risks to you and your baby during pregnancy and after delivery, but with the right preventative measures in place, and armed with knowledge, you’ll be better able to prepare and prevent prenatal infections.

This month, we’re launching a blog series on sexually transmitted diseases and answering some of your most asked questions, starting with what’s the difference between a STD and STI? We hear this question all the time, and probably because the answer can sometimes be confusing.

The simplest answer lies in the acronyms, STD and STI. STD stands for sexually transmitted disease and STI stands for sexually transmitted infection. But what exactly is the difference?

An STD always starts as an STI. The infection is only considered a disease if it causes symptoms such as bumps or sores around the genitals, itching around the genitals, or swollen and painful lymph nodes in the groin and neck (Please note there are other potential symptoms too, these are just common examples).

It is also important to note that not all STIs will develop into STDs; some can clear up on their own, or with the help of a healthcare prescribed treatment, and never cause any health problems.

You now know the difference between STIs and STDs, what now? If you’re sexually active, be on the lookout for symptoms such as:

• Pain or discomfort during sex or urination
• Sores, bumps, or rashes on or around the genitals, anus, buttocks, thighs, or mouth
• Unusual discharge or bleeding from genitals
• Itchiness in or around the vagina (women)
• Painful or swollen testicles (men)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or if you’re worried you may have been exposed to an STI or STD, GET TESTED! The general rule of thumb for sexually active adults is to get tested once a year, as incubation periods vary between different infections, from a few days, months, and even years.

Keep in mind, even though the two are different, you’ll probably continue to see STI and STD used interchangeably, but now you know the difference! Knowledge is power!

We know this year hasn’t been easy, and the holiday season seems to never brings a reprieve of stress. Every other year before it was the guest lists, cooking, shopping, and cleaning that would get the best of us and this year it’s the not knowing if we should be preparing guests lists, cooking, shopping or even cleaning for those who may or may not be celebrating at our homes…now this is some type of stress.  This holiday season, Cheyenne OBGYN is encouraging you to take care and take time for yourself with our 12 days of taking care this holiday season!

1. Make time for you
2. Read a holiday book
3. Take a nap
4. Go for a walk outside
5. Do something creative
6. Treat the person behind you in line for coffee
7. It’s okay to say “no”
8. Put away your phone
9. Watch a Hallmark movie, or binge a few
10. Decorate a gingerbread house
11. Practice gratitude
12. Schedule a check-up with us for the new year

While we suggest doing one of these each day, in the holiday spirit, feel free to do all of them in one day or spread them out over a month! However you choose to do it, remember to take a little time for yourself this holiday season.