OB-GYN
Endometriosis and Uterine Conditions
We treat all types of conditions affecting your uterus during your childbearing years through menopause.
Medically reviewed by Clara Paik, M.D. on Aug. 03, 2023.
Complete Care for Uterine Conditions
At UC Davis Health, we’re committed to giving you the highest quality of care and the most advanced treatments for uterine conditions through each stage of your life.
What are Uterine Conditions?
Your uterus is a hollow reproductive organ in your lower pelvic area. The blood and tissue you shed during menstruation come from your uterus. During pregnancy, the baby grows in your uterus.
Conditions that affect your uterus include:
- Congenital abnormalities: Differences in the shape or size of your uterus that are present when you’re born.
- Endometriosis: A condition where uterine lining tissue grows in areas other than your uterus.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): An infection that can affect your uterus as well as nearby organs.
- Uterine fibroids: Noncancerous tumors in your uterus.
- Uterine polyps: Noncancerous growths in the inner lining of your uterus.
- Uterine prolapse: A condition where your uterus sags from its usual position.
- Uterine cancers: Endometrial cancer develops in your uterus lining. Uterine sarcoma develops in your uterine muscle wall.
We're committed to giving you the highest quality of care and the most advanced treatments for uterine conditions through each stage of your life.
Causes of Uterine Conditions
The cause of many uterine conditions, including endometriosis and uterine fibroids, is not known. Other uterine conditions may or may not have a known cause.
DNA Changes
DNA changes that happen before birth cause congenital abnormalities that affect the size and shape of your uterus.
Chronic Constipation
Long-term constipation can lead to uterine prolapse.
Risk Factors for Uterine Conditions
Certain factors may raise your risk of some uterine conditions. These factors include:
Age
Your risk of uterine cancer and uterine prolapse increases as you get older. You have a higher risk of uterine polyps if you are 40 to 60 years old.
Family History
Having close relatives with endometriosis may raise your risk.
Hormone Exposure
Higher hormone levels, such as during pregnancy, raise your risk of uterine fibroids. Longer lifetime exposure to hormones due to starting menstruation at a young age or having menopause at a late age also may raise your risk. Taking estrogen without also taking progesterone increases your risk of uterine cancer and uterine polyps.
Weight
Being overweight raises your risk of uterine cancer, uterine fibroids and uterine prolapse.
Diagnosing Endometriosis and Uterine Conditions
Diagnosing uterine conditions begins with discussing your symptoms and a pelvic exam. For this exam, your OB-GYN will visually inspect the external parts of your vagina and cervix. Your OB-GYN will also manually feel for problems with your uterus.
Additional tests you may need include:
Biopsy or curettage
These are procedures where your provider takes a small sample of tissue or cells. A pathologist then looks at the sample under a microscope for signs of cancer or other problems.
Hysteroscopy
Your health care provider passes a thin, flexible scope through your cervix into your uterus to look for problems.
Laparoscopy
This test requires a small incision in your lower abdomen. Your provider then inserts a thin tube with a camera on the end to look for problems in and around your uterus.
MRI
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test uses radio waves to create a detailed image of your uterus and surrounding organs so your provider can look for problems.
Transvaginal ultrasound
This is an imaging test where your OB-GYN inserts a slim ultrasound device into your vagina. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of your uterus.
Our team of OB-GYNs has access to the most advanced equipment for diagnosing uterine conditions. We use the latest noninvasive or minimally invasive methods.
Treatment for Endometriosis and Uterine Conditions at UC Davis Health
Our Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) providers collaborate with specialists across UC Davis Health to give you the most comprehensive care for uterine conditions.
Your treatment depends on what type of uterine condition you have. Treatment may include more than one therapy. If you plan to have children, you may also work with a family planning specialist to understand potential fertility problems.
Hormone Therapy
Hormones, including hormone-suppressing therapy, can treat some uterine conditions. These options include birth control, drugs to stop your menstrual cycle and other medications that keep your hormones balanced.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or some of your cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. This is also a treatment for uterine cancer. We have expertise in robotic-assisted hysterectomy, an advanced procedure that allows you to recover quicker than older surgical methods.
Kegel Exercises
Kegels are special exercises that can help treat mild uterine prolapse. These exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles to support your uterus.
Medications and Supplements
You may need medication to reduce bleeding if you have heavy vaginal bleeding caused by uterine fibroids or other uterine conditions. These include Elagolix® and tranexamic acid. You also may need to take an iron supplement if you have anemia from heavy bleeding.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
We use minimally invasive techniques that require only a small incision to remove uterine fibroids or polyps. You have quicker recovery times than traditional open surgery.
Vaginal Pessary
A vaginal pessary is a round plastic device that treats uterine prolapse. It fits under your cervix and helps hold your uterus in the correct position.
Preventing Endometriosis and Uterine Conditions
Many uterine conditions are not preventable. Going to your annual women’s wellness appointment and getting screenings can help catch problems early.
Treatments
Approximately
11%Of U.S. women have endometriosis
Source: National Library of Medicine: Incidence of endometriosis by study population and diagnostic method: the ENDO study
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