The main issue with managing endometriosis is its difficulty to diagnose. Although the condition can cause pain in the intestines and lower abdomen, these symptoms are often confused with those of a women’s menstrual cycle. In addition, some women may have no symptoms at all. As a result, the average diagnosis can take up to 7 years! 

With endometriosis being one of the biggest causes of infertility, National Endometriosis Month focuses on spreading knowledge and awareness so the disease can be caught and managed earlier. 

Common Symptoms of Endometriosis: 

• Pain in lower abdomen between menstrual cycles
• Chronic Lower Back pain
• Painful bowel movements or other digestive problems
• Bleeding or spotting between menstrual cycles
• Very painful menstrual cramps
• Difficulty getting pregnant

Our Women's Health Clinic is located in the Silver Oaks Business Park. Specialties at this location include Complex Gynecology/Minimally Invasive Surgery, Gynecologic Oncology, and Urogynecology.

19330 Jesse Lane, Suite 100
Riverside, CA 92508

To book an appointment, please visit https://www.ucrhealth.org/make-an-appointment/.

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Patients with endometriosis may not have any symptoms.  Typically, if symptoms do occur, then they may include pain during the menstrual period, pain with sex, pain during bowel movements, or pain during urination.  Endometriosis may also cause infertility.

Endometriosis can only be diagnosed via surgery in which the gynecologic surgeon can inspect the pelvic organs and collect a biopsy that removes the disease and confirms the diagnosis. The exact cause of endometriosis is not entirely clear.  Management options for endometriosis may include hormonal and non-hormonal medications for symptom management, surgery to diagnose and therapeutically remove the endometriosis, or a combination of both.

If you suspect you may have endometriosis, know you have endometriosis, or would like to discuss your treatment options, then please contact UCR Women’s Health at 844-827-8000, option 3.

Dr. Mallory Stuparich

Dr. Sadikah Behbehani

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Dr. Behbehani offers Intrauterine insemination (IUI), In vitro fertilization (IVF), egg freezing, fertility preservation, ovulation induction, and all other infertility services at the Reproductive Fertility Center. In addition, Dr. Behbehani also offers minimally invasive surgery for endometriosis, fibroids, and ovarian cysts with a focus on preserving fertility. Other services include assessment of irregular periods and hormonal imbalances such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). 

Center Address: 19330 Jesse Lane, Suite 100, Riverside, CA 92508

Click here to make an appointment

Questions? Please email marketing@medsch.ucr.edu 

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“This is anxiety-provoking,” said Dr. Adwoa Osei, an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside. “Some element of stress is helpful and protective, but when it is unending, it can begin to impact how we think, feel, and see things. Being responsible for the care of others can make stress and anxiety worse.”

She added we are all prone to anxiety when feeling vulnerable.

“People who are faced with the scarcity of basic needs like food, shelter, and safety are especially prone to anxiety now,” she said.

“Losing a job, being an ethnic minority, having a death in the family, caring for a child or a loved one with special or medical needs, lack of social connections and support make caregivers vulnerable to anxiety.”

Dr. Osei offered a few tips for coping during these stressful and anxious times.

Making space to acknowledge feelings and thoughts

Stress and anxiety can show up in different ways, Dr. Osei explained. These can be physical, resulting in sleep problems, muscle tension, upset stomach, and headaches. They can affect thinking processes, resulting in poor concentration and an inability to complete tasks. Further, they can be psychological, resulting in feelings of frustration or anger and uncontrollable worry.

“If you notice any of these changes, you could be feeling stressed or are anxious,” she said. “Pay attention to your body and how you feel. Notice how you are interacting with those around you.”

Write down the anxieties

Dr. Osei recommended making a list of what makes you anxious.

“For each worry, try to come up with the next right thing to do,” she said. “If you are unable to come up with a next step plan, ask yourself from whom and where you can get help. Identify a support network for yourself.”

Build a box of tools

Dr. Osei offered some tools to help cope with anxiety and stress:

• Sleep — Keep a regular and consistent bedtime, aim for seven to nine hours of sleep at night.
• Nutritious meals — Try to keep consistent and regular mealtimes. Keep it healthy.
• Movement and or stretching — Engage in any kind of movements, such as dance, stretching exercises, yoga, and jump rope, which makes you sweat for about 30 minutes to an hour per day.
• Relaxation skills — Deep breathing, muscle relaxation, visual imagery, and personal timeouts. 
• Meaningful connections — Identify stable, supportive, and nurturing relationships, and reach out.
• Find routine and structure — Set wake and bedtimes, and set blocks for screen and outdoor time.
• Find meaning — Some ways to achieve this are through prayer, nature walks, yoga, meditation, journaling, and music. Try to make them repetitive.
• Find fun activities — Doodling, family games, backyard sports, reading, and audiobooks are some options.

Caring for children

Dr. Osei advises parents to work with children to identify supportive, nurturing, and stable relationships.

“Help them identify the helpers outside your home — such as, doctors, nurses, and teachers,” she said. “Remind them that there are people in the community looking out for their well-being. Remind them it's OK to feel overwhelmed. Help them focus on the constants around them — nature and your care and love for them. Give them some control at home; for example, have them pick songs to wash hands to, plan meal menus, decide their help with cleaning. For older kids, give them options to offer help to the community from your home. Give children space to vent and unwind. For children with special needs, prioritize routine and calming skills.”

The C word

Dr. Osei recommends answering children’s questions about the coronavirus directly and clearly.

“Give them honest, concise answers,” she said. “Too much information can be overwhelming. Admit what you don’t know, but let them know you are working on finding answers. Younger kids do well when stories and pictures are used to explain what is being said. For adolescents, admit what you don't know but provide a way for both of you to gain more information and knowledge.”

The post Tips on Reducing Stress and Anxiety During The Outbreak appeared first on UCR Health.

Though an experienced endometriosis specialist can have a high suspicion of endometriosis based on a patient’s history, physical exam, and imaging findings, this condition can only be diagnosed during a surgery where the gynecologic surgeon can inspect the pelvic organs and obtain biopsy that confirms the diagnosis.

Treatment should be highly individualized to the patient and her treatment goals. Treatment may include:

• MEDICATIONS
  • Both hormonal and non-hormonal options exist. Medications may help control the symptoms from endometriosis, but it may not work for every patient.
• SURGERY
  • Surgery to remove endometriosis: This is called “excision of endometriosis” and involves cutting out all suspected visible lesions of endometriosis and removing them from the body. The extent of excision depends on the stage of endometriosis and the organs that are affected.
  • In the hands of an experienced endometriosis surgeon, this procedure can be performed in a minimally invasive fashion using small incisions on the abdomen (laparoscopically).
• COMBINATION
  • A combination of medication and surgery.

Your endometriosis specialist will review your available treatment options in detail, including the risks and benefits of each.

If you suspect you may have endometriosis or know you have endometriosis and would like to discuss your treatment options, then please contact UCR Women’s Health at 844-827-8000, option 3.

AUTHOR
Dr. Mallory Stuparich

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