Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue (normally found only on the inside of the uterus) in locations outside the uterus. The usual location is in the pelvis (on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, or bladder), but endometriosis has also been found in sites outside the pelvis; including omentum, small intestine, appendix, anterior abdominal wall, surgical scars, diaphragm, lung, and urinary tract. These implants react to estrogen and progesterone just as endometrial tissue lining the inside of the uterus reacts during the normal menstrual cycle.
Unfortunately, many women are not diagnosed in the early stages of the condition. When they are diagnosed, many unnecessarily undergo repeated surgical procedures. Whether your problem is infertility, pain, or both, your gynecologist’s skill and experience in the management of endometriosis is critically important.
Dr. Johns has performed over 9,000 surgical prcedures over the past 38 years. A large percentage of these procedures have been to diagnose and treat endometriosis. Much of his clinical research, teaching, and publication has been in the fascinating field of endometriosis.