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Endometriosis in the ovary, also called endometrioma, is a situation in which the tissue and endometrial glands, which should only be inside the uterus, are also covering the ovary, which can lead to difficulty in becoming pregnant and very severe cramps during menstrual period.
The doctor may discover that the woman has endometriosis in the ovary through transvaginal or pelvic ultrasound, in which the presence of an ovarian cyst larger than 2 cm and filled with dark liquid is observed.
The treatment for endometriosis in the ovary indicated by the gynecologist may vary according to the woman's age and extent of endometriosis, and the use of drugs to relieve symptoms or surgery to remove the ovary may be indicated.
Symptoms of endometriosis in the ovary
Endometriosis in the ovary is considered a benign change, however signs and symptoms may appear that may be uncomfortable for women and that may be indicative of changes, such as:
- Difficulty getting pregnant, even after 6 months to 1 year of trying;
- Very severe colic during menstruation;
- Blood in the stool, especially during menstruation;
- Pain during intimate contact.
The diagnosis is made by the gynecologist based on the vaginal touch exam and image exams, such as transvaginal ultrasound, in which the bowel should be emptied previously, or through magnetic resonance imaging. Thus, through these exams the doctor will be able to know the extent of ovarian endometriosis and indicate the most appropriate treatment.
Can endometriosis in the ovary hinder pregnancy?
As the ovary is compromised, the quantity of eggs produced becomes more reduced, which causes the woman's fertility to be impaired. The chances of pregnancy in women with endometriosis in the ovary decrease each month according to the evolution of the disease. In addition, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove this tissue, especially when the disease is already more advanced, but the surgery itself can negatively interfere with the ovary, damaging the woman's fertility.
Thus, the doctor can recommend that the woman start trying to get pregnant as soon as possible, or she can indicate the egg freezing technique, so that in the future the woman can decide whether she wants to have artificial insemination and have children.
How the treatment is done
Treatment will depend on the woman's age, reproductive desire, symptoms and the extent of the disease. In cases where the tissue is less than 3 cm, the use of medications to reduce the symptoms can be effective, but in the most severe cases, where the cyst is more than 4 cm, laparoscopic surgery is indicated to perform a scraping of the endometrial tissue or even the removal of the ovaries.
Endometrioma does not disappear on its own, even with the use of the birth control pill, but these can decrease the risk of developing a new endometriosis in the ovary after its removal through surgery.
In some cases, the gynecologist may also indicate the use of some medications to relieve symptoms and prevent the progression of endometrioma, however this indication is more often made for women who are already in menopause.