This Specialist Private Endometriosis Clinic in central London aims to offer a comprehensive patient centered approach to the care of women with endometriosis. Both Dr Christian Barnick and Dr Alison Wright have a specialist interest in this field and often work in partnership in order to achieve the best possible results.
As in all areas of medicine the key to successful treatment of endometriosis is in the careful selection of the right treatment for each individual patient. Patients have different needs and it is important that these are acknowledged and that treatment is centered round them.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (womb) is found elsewhere in the body usually the pelvis. It is a benign (non-cancerous) but a very painful condition which is characterised by the presence of endometriosis deposits mainly in the pelvis (the ovary, areas around the womb, on the bladder and the intestines).
Although women may not show any signs of endometriosis, the common symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Painful and or heavy periods.
- Painful sex
- Pelvic pain
- Moderate to severe pain at the time of ovulation
- Premenstrual pain
- Difficulty in becoming pregnant
- Pain when passing urine and or bleeding
- Pain and difficult with opening bowels
- Bleeding from the bowel with the periods
- Fatigue
The exact cause is unknown, although a few theories have been put forward.
Retrograde menstruation. Some of the menstrual blood flows backwards down the fallopian tubes and into the pelvis. Some of this endometrial tissue implants and causes endometriosis.
Lymphatic or circulatory spread. Endometrial tissue is carried by blood vessels and lymphatic channels.
Genetic predisposition to the condition. Researchers are looking into the gene which could identify women predisposed to endometriosis. A woman who has a mother or sister with endometriosis has a six times greater risk of developing endometriosis.
Immune dysfunction. There are theories which look at the immune response of the body which could lead to the development of endometriosis. For many conditions medical treatment is sufficient to either control symptoms or cure the disease but this is not the case in endometriosis which is particularly resistant to medical treatment. Often surgery is required to achieve treatment aims.
Drug treatment is mostly hormone based with hormone side effects. These drugs:
Often bring about an improvement in the pain symptoms
May shrink or slow down the progression of the condition
Delay the recurrence of the disease
Are not effective as long term treatment
Are commonly used before surgery or before IVF treatment
Most gynaecologists are able to perform keyhole surgery for endometriosis but the extent of their expertise in this area varies widely. It is important to choose a surgeon with a special interest in this condition. Dr Barnick is very particularly skilled with 15 years of experience in this type of surgery and aims to perform it to the highest possible standard, he aims to excise the endometriosis wherever possible thus maximizing the success of surgery and minimizing possible complications. In advanced cases of Stage IV endometriosis he and Dr Alison Wright operate together. We believe that this Unique Consultant Partnership is crucial to the excellent results that they achieve.
TREATMENT AIMS:
- Reduction of painFertility improvement/preservationReduction of recurrence
- Long-term pain relief
- Emotional support
For more information refer to our Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain guide.
