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*Endometriosis* treatment typically involves what?

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Final answer:

Endometriosis treatment involves pain-control medications such as NSAIDs and opiate drugs, along with surgical interventions like laparoscopy or hysterectomy, depending on the patient's need for fertility preservation. A definitive diagnosis is achieved through laparoscopy, and recurrence of endometriosis may happen after conservative surgical procedures.

Step-by-step explanation:

Endometriosis treatment typically involves medications to control the pain and surgical procedures to remove the abnormal tissue. For pain management, commonly used medications include non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like naproxen, and in cases of severe pain, opiates may be used. Surgical treatment can be done through laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure where instruments are inserted through small incisions to remove or burn away endometrial growths.

In individuals who wish to conceive, surgery is usually conservative to preserve reproductive organs, but endometriosis may recur in 20 to 40 percent of cases within five years. For those who have completed childbearing, hysterectomy may be performed, which is more likely to cure endometriosis and prevent relapses. It's important to note that a definitive diagnosis of endometriosis is generally confirmed through visual inspection of the tissue during laparoscopy.

Other symptoms of endometriosis beyond pelvic pain can include infertility, gastrointestinal issues, chronic fatigue, and irregular menstrual bleeding. While the main cause is believed to involve retrograde menstruation, genetic mutations, environmental toxins, and autoimmune responses might also contribute to the development of the condition.

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