Endometriosis

If you have severe menstrual pain,
it may be endometriosis

In endometriosis, some menstrual blood flows backward through the fallopian tubes and spreads within the abdominal and pelvic cavities.
Endometriosis can occur at any age from the first menstrual period to menopause, and its lesions tend to progress.

Some flows backward:
menstrual blood

In the fallopian tubes and ovaries,
endometriosis lesions

Symptoms of endometriosis

Menstrual pain
Chronic pelvic pain
Pain during intercourse
Infertility

Early- to intermediate-stage endometriosis

Deep endometriosis

Deep endometriosis — uterus adherent to other organs

Early- to intermediate-stage endometriosis

Deep endometriosis
(Uterus adherent to other organs)

Two forms of endometriosis

The page describes two forms of endometriosis.

A ruptured ovarian
endometriotic cystCovering the ureter:
EndometriosisSpread over the pelvic peritoneum:
Endometriosis

1. Endometriosis spreading over the pelvic peritoneum (pelvic peritoneal endometriosis)

In early pelvic peritoneal endometriosis, endometrial tissue spreads over the surface of the peritoneum lining the pelvis, much like moles on the skin.

2. Endometriosis forming an ovarian cyst (ovarian endometrioma)

Endometrial tissue accumulates in the ovary and forms a cyst.
When the cyst ruptures, dark chocolate-colored fluid escapes, hence the name chocolate cyst.

Laparoscopic CO₂ laser treatment

An endoscope is introduced through the navel without a skin incision to operate on organs inside the abdominal cavity.

The CO₂ laser SurgiTouch technique!

Preserving the uterus and ovaries
A proven treatment that preserves function

When treating endometriosis, which often affects younger women, it is very important to precisely remove only the lesions without damaging normal tissue. For this purpose, the CO₂ laser SurgiTouch Techniqueis used to treat the condition without damaging the uterus or ovaries.

Through training at the laparoscopic centers of Stanford University Hospital in the United States and Leuven University Hospital in Belgium, 안산부인과 (AHN Gynecology) has acquired advanced laser treatment techniques. Using the advanced Lumenis AcuPulse CO₂ laser, we precisely remove lesions without damaging uterine or ovarian tissue.

▲ An internationally recognized authority in CO₂ laser treatment,
Dr. Nezhat (Stanford University Hospital)

▶ Korea’s first certified hospital for laparoscopic CO₂ laser treatment
(Lumenis, Israel)

Diagnosing endometriosis

Ultrasound

Endometriotic cyst
Severe endometriosis

Under sedation,
diagnostic laparoscopy

Early endometriosis

What is diagnostic laparoscopy under sedation?

It is described as a method for detecting early endometriosis that cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound or MRI. Performed under sedation without general anesthesia, it takes about 5–10 minutes.
The source states that no abdominal scars remain and detailed pelvic video records are kept so the results can be reviewed afterward.

Endometriosis Q&A

Answers to frequently asked questions about endometriosis.

What should I do if I have severe abdominal or back pain during menstruation but ultrasound is normal?

Early endometriosis that does not appear on ultrasound should be considered.
The original text states that most early endometriosis is difficult to detect by ultrasound or MRI and recommends diagnostic laparoscopy under sedation for early confirmation.

What happens if endometriosis is not treated?

Endometriosis commonly worsens under the influence of female hormones.
Early disease can cause menstrual pain; as it progresses, pain and impaired uterine, ovarian or tubal function may lead to infertility.
A particularly serious problem is chronic pelvic pain caused by fibrosis of pelvic tissues.