Relief is Possible
Endometriosis is a complex, often debilitating condition that affects approximately 10% of women worldwide, causing chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and a wide range of symptoms that can significantly impair quality of life. Despite its prevalence, endometriosis often remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. That’s why we have created the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Center, dedicated to the comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and management of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. By centralizing care in a dedicated center, we can offer faster, more accurate diagnoses and treatments to improve patient outcomes and enhance quality of life.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a complex, often debilitating condition that affects approximately 10% of women worldwide, causing chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and a wide range of symptoms that can significantly impair quality of life. Despite its prevalence, endometriosis often remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. That’s why we have created the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Center, dedicated to the comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and management of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. By centralizing care in a dedicated center, we can offer faster, more accurate diagnoses and treatments to improve patient outcomes and enhance quality of life.
The uterus is lined with a layer of tissue called the endometrium. Normally, this tissue builds up in the uterus and sheds monthly during your period. Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which this tissue grows outside the uterus, commonly on the exterior of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or beyond. Although it’s not dangerous, endometriosis can cause significant pain and other complications, including fertility issues.
The symptoms of endometriosis can range from mild to severe and may include:
- Pelvic pain, especially during menstrual periods
- Pain during or after sexual intercourse
- Painful urination or bowel movements, especially during menstruation
- Heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding
- Bloating, nausea and fatigue
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Infertility (difficulty getting pregnant)
Each person’s experience with endometriosis is different. Women with endometriosis may have some of these symptoms, all of these symptoms or none of them. Our team of specialists will perform a thorough assessment and then create an individualized treatment plan for you based on your symptoms and health goals.
Our Approach to Care
Given the complex nature of endometriosis, effective management requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to address each patient’s specific needs.
The Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Center is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of highly trained experts across many specialties, including urogynecology, pain management, anesthesia, colorectal surgery, and physical therapy. Together, they create an individualized treatment plan tailored to each woman’s unique condition. We offer the most up-to-date, evidence-based endometriosis treatment options including nonsurgical therapies and minimally invasive surgery. We know that pelvic pain is debilitating, and it is our goal to help you become pain-free.
Advanced Treatment Options
Endometriosis care starts with a thorough evaluation to understand the cause of your pain, which may include advanced diagnostic imaging. While there’s no cure for endometriosis, our providers offer treatments that can help manage its symptoms. Using the latest surgical and non-surgical techniques, our goal is to alleviate pain, restore function, and help return patients to their normal lifestyle as soon as possible.
Oftentimes, endometriosis symptoms can be relieved through non-surgical techniques such as physical therapy, interventional pain management, medications, injections or other non-surgical therapies. If symptoms persist, surgery may be the right option for you. Our surgeons are leaders in minimally invasive and robotic techniques, allowing for less pain and a faster recovery.
Treatment options may include:
Pain management: Patients may be treated with advanced interventional therapeutic options including medication management, nerve blocks, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Hormone therapy: Hormone treatments like birth control pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs) can help manage symptoms such as heavy or painful periods.
Pelvic floor physical therapy: A pelvic floor physical therapist can help you learn to strengthen or relax your pelvic floor muscles through therapy and exercises. These techniques may help you manage the painful symptoms of endometriosis.
Minimally invasive surgery: Our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgical techniques, to remove endometrial growths and scar tissue. These techniques rely on very small incisions, which result in faster recovery time and less discomfort.
Fertility treatment: In some cases, people with endometriosis struggle with getting pregnant. Our surgeons can provide fertility preserving surgery and surgical optimization prior to IVF procedures.
Contact Us
St. Joseph’s Health
Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Center
225 Minnisink Road, Floor 3
Totowa, NJ 07512
862-657-3150
