Endometriosis Treatment in San Francisco, CA

Dr. Kardos Specializes in Helping Women Near the Bay Area Manage Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects one in 10 women in the United States, according to the Endometriosis Foundation of America. At the practice of Leslie Kardos, we are San Francisco’s expert in improving pain and quality of in women with endometriosis associated chronic pelvic pain. Dr. Kardos has over 25 years of experience diagnosing and treating endometriosis and offer effective treatments and testing methods, including pelvic laparoscopies, transvaginal ultrasounds, and pelvic exams. Dr. Kardos’ surgical approach (including robotic surgery) has helped thousands of women in San Francisco and surrounding areas achieve a pain free life.

To learn more about endometriosis testing and treatment, contact Dr. Leslie Kardos to discuss your symptoms and determine your next steps. To schedule a consultation for endometriosis treatment at our gynecology office in San Francisco, please call (415) 426-7859 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Request an Appointment Online

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition that occurs in women when the inner uterus lining starts to grow outside of the uterus, often behind the uterus, on the bowels, or on the bladder. Endometriosis is most commonly diagnosed among women in their 30s and 40s, but the onset of the condition typically starts during reproductive years.

Dr. Kardos can help diagnose your symptoms as endometriosis and determine the best treatment for you.

What are the Causes of Endometriosis?

There are multiple theories over the root causes of endometriosis.

The older theories of the spreading of cells from the uterus via the lymph nodes and blood vessels do not seem to be supported by any factual evidence. Furthermore, we know well that almost all women that have endometrial cells from the uterus, go into the pelvis during menstruation – this process is called retrograde menstruation. Because it happens so often and relatively few women have endometriosis, there must be factors at work other than retrograde menstruation. These other factors include alterations in inflammatory processes, immunologic dysfunction, and various genetic factors.

In the end it all leads to the typical characteristics seen in endometriosis which include: inflammation, scarring, and invasion across tissue planes where other benign diseases would not go.

What are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

The most common symptoms that women experience if they have endometriosis include pain, spotting in between periods, heavy periods, infertility, and digestive problems. Not all women experience symptoms, but pain is the most common symptom and can be:

• Painful menstrual cramps
• Chronic pain the lower abdomen or intestines
• Pain during or after sex
• Painful bowel movements or pain when urinating during menstrual periods

Pain from Endometriosis is caused by the benign growth of the endometrial lining. These growths bleed in the same way as your uterus during your period. Other problems can result such as your fallopian tubes being blocked, inflammation, and scar tissue around your uterus, intestines, or bladder.

How is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

In addition to discussing your symptoms with Dr. Kardos, she may suggest another exam to diagnosis endometriosis. During a pelvic exam, she may be able to feel for large cysts or scars behind your uterus. An ultrasound or MRI may also be done to check for ovarian cysts.

Surgery is the only way to confirm that you have endometriosis. Dr. Kardos may perform a laparoscopic procedure to see or biopsy the endometriosis growths.

Endometriosis Management and Treatment in San Francisco

Since there is no cure for endometriosis, talk with San Francisco Endometriosis Specialist Dr. Kardos about your situation and the best symptoms management options for you.

• If you are not trying to get pregnant, hormonal birth control is usually the first step to help reduce pain and bleeding.
• If you are trying to get pregnant other hormonal medications may treat endometriosis. When birth control isn’t an option, pain medications may also be suggested for your symptoms.
• Surgery is typically recommended only when symptoms are very severe, other treatments haven’t worked, or you are having infertility problems. During surgery, the endometriosis growths are removed, which provides short term relief from pain.