It’s estimated that up to 6 ½ million American women are dealing with endometriosis. When it comes to Black Americans, though, the numbers are less concrete because of how few Black women get diagnosed. Even if you have been diagnosed, it’s essential to know what to ask your doctor before deciding to have surgery.
10 Critical Endometriosis Questions For Your Doctor
1. What are my surgical treatment options?
There are two main surgeries for endometriosis – one more invasive than the other. Laparoscopic surgeries use small cuts to access the abnormal tissue that needs to be removed. A hysterectomy, on the other hand, is a major surgery that involves the removal of the uterus and sometimes, the ovaries as well as the fallopian tubes.
2. What is the goal of this surgery?
Your doctor’s end goal will help to determine which surgery they recommend. It’s typical to suggest a less invasive surgery for those who have moderate symptoms that need to be alleviated. If your symptoms are severe and aren’t responding to other forms of treatment, your doctor might opt for more drastic surgery.
3. What are the side effects of this surgery?
Every surgery will have side effects and will have a bearing on your decision. For example, a hysterectomy that only removes your uterus will affect your fertility. If they remove your ovaries as well, then it will be the same as going into menopause. That means you’re likely to need hormone replacement therapy.
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4. Will this cure my endometriosis?
Unfortunately, even drastic surgery doesn’t have a 100% success rate for endometriosis. Some people have had their symptoms return afterward. This question will allow you to have a frank discussion with your doctor about the odds of that happening to you and what to do about it.
5. How do I need to prepare for the surgery?
Depending on the procedure, there are a few things you may need to do to ensure that you’re prepared. The list includes not smoking for at least three weeks before the procedure, not eating after midnight the day before surgery, and not taking certain medications like blood thinners.
6. What should I expect after the surgery?
Your recovery time will depend on the type of surgery, as will the amount of pain to expect. Your doctor should be able to give you a timeline of what to expect and the signs that something is wrong.
7. What if my symptoms return or get worse?
As noted before, some people have had their endometriosis symptoms return after surgery. Sometimes, additional surgery is the answer but other doctors recommend hormone therapy instead. Ask your doctor about their plan.
8. What will happen if I choose not to have surgery?
Not everyone wants to undergo surgery, so it’s good to know what risks are involved if you decide to delay having it.
9. Will this procedure affect my fertility?
Statistics state that most women get diagnosed with endometriosis in their 30s, so, understandably, you might be concerned about fertility. If you’re planning to have a family, make sure that your doctor bears this in mind when making surgical decisions.
10. Will I need follow-up visits to check on my condition?
You may regard surgical treatments, but that’s not necessarily the case. It’s typical for there to be follow-up visits to assess your condition and see if your endometriosis is still under control.
RELATED: 5 Types Of Hormone Therapy For Endometriosis
Why You Need To Know What’s Going On
Though women have been getting diagnosed with endometriosis for decades, statistics show that many Black Americans are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. In fact, up to 40 percent of Black women with pelvic pain were told that they had pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) years before finally getting the correct diagnosis. According to a study, Black women are 50 percent less likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis than other ethnicities despite having the same or worse symptoms. To make matters worse, they usually get diagnosed at a later age and aren’t always given all the possible treatment options. Studies show that many doctors recommend complete hysterectomies more often to Black women than other ethnicities instead of exploring less drastic treatment methods.
When you ask the right questions, it’s easier to make the best treatment decisions. Though some women will need hysterectomies based on how far their endometriosis has progressed, researchers are constantly working on treatment options that aren’t that drastic. You should have access to these treatments if you need them.
Millions of women have endometriosis, but not all of them know it. Where Black women are concerned, the numbers can be even more startling. Getting diagnosed is only the beginning. You’ll need to stay on top of your care by getting all the information you need to make the right decisions.
