1 in 5 Women With Endometriosis Have an Aggressive Subtype

Endometriosis can cause a lot of issues for women, but it can be worse in the case of deep-infiltrating endometriosis (DE). Endometriosis is where cells that are similar to the lining of the uterus (which women shed during their periods) grow outside of the uterus.

According to Ann Peters, M.D., MS, a board-certified gynecologist and surgeon with The Institute for Gynecologic Care at Mercy, DE is a more aggressive form of the condition. Instead of hovering around the organs, deep-infiltrating endometriosis grows down into the structures underneath.

DE affects one in five women with endometriosis, according to research. Some patients have no symptoms, but there are treatment options, if needed.

“Sometimes, hormonal medications can be utilized to try and hold the progression of endometriosis, and it can help shrink the lesions of endometriosis a bit, but it doesn't make the endometrium go away. So, a lot of patients, especially when they have deep infiltrate of endometrium, do often require surgery, especially patients who are having sometimes trouble getting pregnant. A lot of them will benefit by having surgical removal of their deep-infiltrate defender metro system that significantly improves fertility rates,” Dr. Peters said.

The symptoms to keep an eye out for are severe pain during periods, intercourse, or bowel moments. Bleeding in your stool is another sign.

Dr. Peters noted that surgery is minimally invasive with a recovery period of one to four weeks.

View Mercy gynecologist and surgeon Dr. Ann Peters’ interview regarding deep infiltrating endometriosis.