Endometriosis Center

The Florida Hospital Celebration Health Endometriosis Center provides cutting-edge medical and surgical care in an integrated, multidisciplinary fashion. By bringing together specialists in areas such as fertility care, physical therapy, pain physiology and minimally invasive surgery, a comprehensive and multifaceted care plan can be formulated that is unique to each individual. This process is facilitated through the use of a clinical care coordinator who has years of experience managing some of the most difficult conditions in gynecology. Another unique aspect of the center is the use of support groups to help foster ongoing education and continuity of care for patients, which in turn decreases the stress and fears associated with a diagnosis of endometriosis.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) grows in other areas of the body, causing pain, irregular bleeding and possible infertility. The tissue growth typically occurs in the pelvic area: outside of the uterus; on the ovaries, bowel or rectum; and/or on the bladder and the delicate lining of the pelvis. It can, however, grow in other areas of the body as well. The condition affects five and a half million women in the United States, more women than breast cancer.

Symptoms of Endometriosis:

• Painful periods
• Pain during or following sexual intercourse
• Pelvic or low-back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle
• Pain with bowel movements
• Pelvic Rehab
• Painful urination during periods
• Premenstrual spotting
• Infertility

When to Contact a Doctor

Screening for endometriosis should be considered if you are experiencing symptoms, your mother or sister has been diagnosed with endometriosis, or if you are unable to become pregnant after trying for one year. Screenings can include a physical exam, a transvaginal ultrasound or MRI, and laparoscopy.

Comprehensive services include:

• Advanced Surgical Treatments
• Endometriosis Support Group
• Symptom Management
• Complimentary & Alternative Therapies
• Pelvic Rehabilitation
• Infertility
• Nutrition Support
• Educational Programs

Treatment Options

Pain medications may be prescribed to relieve cramping and discomfort.

Hormonal-based therapies aim to modulate the menstrual cycle and, in turn, may help control symptoms and keep the disease from worsening.

Minimally invasive surgical intervention may be needed to remove or destroy all of the endometriosis-related tissue and adhesions and to restore the pelvic area to as close to normal as possible. An excision or resection technique is typically utilized with minimally invasive surgical methods, including robotics. Women with severe symptoms or advanced disease who desire future fertility may require conservative radical surgery. Women who do not want children in the future may chose to remove the uterus (hysterectomy), both ovaries, both fallopian tubes and remaining scar tissue.

Alternative and complementary treatments may include traditional medicine, nutritional approaches, homeopathy and immune therapy, as well as new pharmacologic options.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Karen Wiercinski, RN, BSN, Women's Health Clinical Care Coordinator at (407) 303-4424.