Silent Pain : Endometriosis

by Dr Agilan Arjunan, Fertility Specialist & Gynaecologist, KL Fertility Centre ( Malaysia)

Pain relates to a neurological sensation causing emotional or physical discomfort. The endurance of pain not only limits the individuals capabilities but may alter their quality of life. Therefore, the pursue of relief is of outmost importance and need.

Pelvic pain is commonly associated with women and is one of the common reasons for a visit to the gynaecologist. The diligent gynaecologist conducts a through examination, orders several test as required, identifies the root cause and administers appropriate treatment. This task is carried out so that the pelvic pain is relieved and the women is back to her pain free lifestyle.

What if the medical examination and routine test by the gynaecologist yield normal results? In that case, what is the cause of the pelvic pain? Can the pain be relieved?

I am sure some women have gone through this similar predicament. They are quite familiar with the medical term “Endometriosis”. A condition related to pelvic pain that have silently been endured by these women.

What is Endometriosis ?

Endometriosis is a condition where the cells of the uterus ( womb) lining ( endometrium) is found outside of the womb. Endometriosis is often associated with cyclical period pain and sometimes it leads to long term pelvic pain.

Deposits of endometriosis can be found anyway outside of the womb, namely on the innermost layer of the abdomen ( peritoneum) , ovaries , Fallopian tubes , bladder and large bowels.

In severe cases, it can also be found on the vaginal wall.

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FAQ about Uterine Fibroid ?

by Dr Agilan Arjunan, Fertility Specialist & Gynaecologist , KL Fertility Centre ( Malaysia).

This is a simple fact sheet about questions frequently asked about uterine fibroid.

If you still have more questions about fibroid, please do email me.

Thank you.

FAQ about Fibriod ACOG

Who Stole My Fertility ?

by Dr Agilan Arjunan, Fertility Specialist & Gynaecologist, KL Fertility Centre (Malaysia)

Published in The Star (Fit For Life ) : http://www.star2.com/health/wellness/2017/07/09/who-stole-my-fertility/

According to medical history, in the periods of Hippocrates in 460-375 BC , fibroid was known as ‘uterine stone’. The first surgery for fibroid was done for the American President Abraham Lincoln’s cousin in 1809. The term fibroid was introduced in 1860.

Many women had been diagnosed with uterine fibroid. For some the fibroid is not medically important but for some women, fibroid can cause infertility.

What is uterine fibroid?

A woman’s womb or uterus is made up of muscles known as ‘myometrium’ . This ‘myometrium’ is composed of many strands of muscle fibres.

Fibroids arise from genetic alteration in a single muscle fibre. This causes the muscles to overgrow and form a fibroid. Circulating female hormone called oestrogen can cause growth of the fibroid.

However, fibroids can also grow in low oestrogen environment , possibly due to conversion of male hormone called androgens into oestrogen. Yes, females have male hormones too!

The problem with fibroid is , it can be a silent killer. Woman may have fibroids without ever knowing about it! This is because not all the fibroids cause symptoms. Whether the fibroid causes a problem depends on the size and location of the fibroid.

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Laparoscopy: Keyhole Surgery

by Dr Agilan Arjunan, Fertility Specialist, KL Fertility Centre (Malaysia)

“Best Things In Life Are Free” is a well known proverb and sometimes it may not be easy to grasp its meaning entirely. Well, as a gynaecologist and fertility specialist, I do see many woman and couples and become part of their journey to fulfil their dreams.

I feel “The Best Things In Life Are Small” and the best part of it , it comes in 3D .

Majority of women in their lifetime would have undergone a surgery. Whether a minor or a major surgery, it is still a nightmare to go through it. By the age of 60 , 1 in every 3 women would have undergone a hysterectomy ( surgery to remove the womb) for various reasons.

Traditionally, gynaecological surgeries ( surgeries involving female’s reproductive organs) , are associated with big skin incisions, painful recovery and longer time to get back to norm. Longer recovery means loss of quality time with family, personal or professional. For some, it means loss of income.

Gynaecological surgeries has evolved so much that the traditional phrase ‘big skin incisions, painful and slow recovery’ have now become ‘small holes, nearly painless and out -of-hospital the next day’ .

It’s called Laparoscopic surgery or keyhole surgery. Do you know that laparoscopic surgery has been reported since 1930s’, but yet many women do not know about this ?

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