Nursing 209

N209: Reproductive Health Study Guide • Treatment: Estrogen replacement, lubricants, and sexual activity (helps with vaginal elasticity, pliability, and lubrication) Endometriosis • Endometrial tissue (uterine lining) growing outside of the uterus (ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, and bladder) • Occurs in women in their 30s and 40s most frequently, but can occur in late teens and 20s • 40% of women with endometriosis will have infertility issues • 2-50% of women have undiagnosed endometriosis because they are without symptoms • Diagnosis of endometriosis: o Often diagnosed for the first time when women seek treatment for infertility o Pelvic exam: May feel a small cyst formation; cannot feel endometriosis o Ultrasound: Can view cyst formation; unable to view endometriosis o Laparoscopy: Used for diagnosis and can pinpoint location and extend of endometrial implants to formulate best treatment options • Symptoms of endometriosis: o Main symptom is pain in the lower abdomen, most commonly during menses or during or after sex o May be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea o Excessive bleeding with periods (menorrhagia) o Bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia) o Urinary and/or bowel problems if bowel and bladder involvement • Effects of endometriosis: o Symptoms, if severe, can affect a woman’s sex life and body image o Can result in depression and irritability o Also affects ADLs; pain can cause chronic fatigue and may also affect work performance • Treatment for endometriosis: o NSAIDS: For pain relief o Hormone therapy: To control fluctuation of hormones during menses, or to stop menses in order to stop growth of endometrial implants o Surgery: Laparoscopic removal, which is the conservative approach if pregnancy is desired o Hysterectomy: In severe cases • Complications of endometriosis: o Main complication is infertility o Increased incidence of ovarian cancer

©2018

Achieve

Page 104

of 109