Health Central turned to Dr. Ritchie Delara for insights into endometriosis surgery & other issues
For its Let’s Talk About Endometriosis overview, Health Central included on its Pro Panel of experts Dr. Ritchie Delara, a specialist in minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries, such as for
endometriosis. Roughly 11% of reproductive age women have this condition, in which endometrial tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.
This abnormality can cause pain during sex, general pelvic pain and infertility. But many women, especially younger ones, are often embarrassed to talk about it and do not seek care.
When hormonal contraceptives and medications fail to bring relief, laparoscopic surgery allows surgeons like Dr. Delara to view the area and remove the endometrial lesions. Laparoscopy is helpful to alleviate pain, but in some cases, either the endometriosis is embedded in areas of the pelvis that are impossible to safely remove or the area is too microscopic for the surgeon to detect. That’s why surgery is not entirely curative for about 40%-80% of women.
The article recommends that women considering surgery should have a talk with the surgeon about their reproductive goals and expectations. Dr. Delara’s approach to treating patients is to always work with them and their loved ones to come up with a treatment plan that respects the individual’s values and goals.