Surgery is usually required to remove the tissue from the bowels.
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Areas Impacted by Bowel Endometriosis
Bowel endometriosis can affect different parts of the lower digestive system.
Causes
As with other types of endometriosis, the exactcause of bowel endometriosisis unknown.
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However, there are multiple theories on why endometriosis occurs.
Did My Hysterectomy Cause Bowel Endometriosis?
While you may develop bowel endometriosis after a hysterectomy, a hysterectomy doesn’t cause bowel endometriosis.
It may develop because microscopic endometrium tissue remained behind to regrow elsewhere.
Some research shows that hormone replacement therapy used after a hysterectomy may also increase the chances of bowel endometriosis.
Non-Bowel Symptoms
People with endometriosis can also experience non-bowel symptoms.
The degree to which these are felt varies significantly.
Colonoscopy looks at the inside of the bowels.
Only the most advanced, deeply infiltrating endometriosis would be visible upon colonoscopy.
Treatment
Hormonal suppression with regimens like continuous birth control and GNRH agonists are used to treat endometriosis.
Surgery may be considered after trying conservative medications first.
Surgery
There are three common types of operations that might be used to treat bowel endometriosis.
Your surgeon will discuss this with you at your pre-operation appointment.
Appendectomy
Endometriosis of the appendix (a small organ considered part of the bowels) is rare.
Research shows it affects only about 2.6% of people with endometriosis.
However, some specialists argue it is more common.
Complications From Bowel Endometriosis Surgery
The bowels are delicate organs.
If you need bowel endometriosis surgery, seek care from an endometriosis specialist with experience performing bowel endometriosis surgery.
Consider keeping a journal for a few weeks to track your triggers.
Diagnosing bowel endometriosis requires a laparoscopic excision, and surgery is usually required to treat it.
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