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Myths about endometriosis are as common as the condition itself. Here, we bust a few of those myths to help you better understand this disorder and the way it affects your uterus.

Your uterus is a complex system. When something goes wrong with just one of its components, it can lead to some serious discomfort.

Case in point: endometriosis. You develop this condition when your endometrium — the tissue that normally lines the interior of your uterus — grows outside of your uterus. This condition occurs more than you might think, and if you’ve received this diagnosis, you’re not alone. 

Our all-female team of doctors and nurse practitioners at Burlington OBGYN Associates in Burlington, Massachusetts, offers dedicated endometriosis care, and we can help you. Here, we bust a few common myths about this condition. 

Myth 1: Endometriosis is rare

Experts estimate that one in 10 women of childbearing age deals with endometriosis. That means 190 million women across the globe have experienced or are living with the discomfort and the other issues that this condition causes. 

Myth 2: You’re just having period cramps

Historically, when women sought medical care for endometriosis, they were often dismissed. That’s because the primary symptoms of endometriosis are a lot like period pain.

Here at Burlington OBGYN Associates, our female doctors and nurses understand normal period pain — and we know when your symptoms mean something else is going on. If you have serious pelvic pain when you’re menstruating, don’t hesitate to talk to us.

Myth 3: Endometriosis is always painful

For many women, it is. But you can also experience this abnormal tissue growth without any resulting discomfort. 

In fact, a lot of women only learn they have endometriosis when they’re trying to figure out infertility challenges. The misplaced tissue growth endometriosis causes can make it more difficult to get pregnant. 

That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to have a baby. But it does mean you should talk with our Burlington OBGYN Associates team. With a consultation, we can identify your body’s specific fertility challenges and work with you to develop a plan to overcome them. 

Myth 4: You can’t do anything about endometriosis

Far too many women suffer through their painful periods. It doesn’t have to be this way! We can create a treatment plan to alleviate your pain as much as possible. 

If you’re not currently trying to get pregnant, we can prescribe you hormonal birth control, which can help to soothe your symptoms. We also can prescribe gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, which put you in temporary menopause to stop the growth of new endometrial tissue. 

If you’re ready to be done with your endometriosis once and for all, we can explore surgical options with you, too.

Ultimately, endometriosis is common, often painful, and treatable. It’s also possible to get pregnant even when you have this condition. The right medical care can make all the difference. 

If you think you might be living with endometriosis, call our office or book your appointment online today so we can create a personalized treatment plan for you.

Searching for the best birth control method can quickly become inundated with unsolicited advice from friends, ads from pharmaceutical companies, and your own anxieties. Instead, team up with our experts and let us walk you through your options.

Choosing the right method of birth control can be a daunting task, and here at Burlington OBGYN Associates in Burlington, Massachusetts, we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. 

Our experienced doctors are here to help you find the method that best fits your lifestyle, values, and needs. Here are some things to consider when selecting your birth control method.

You’re looking for maximum protection

Is getting pregnant a hard no for you, or at least not in your near-future plans? You may want to consider long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal implants, or short-acting hormonal methods, such as pills, patches, shots, and vaginal rings. 

Long- and short-acting hormonal methods are among the most effective birth control methods, with a nearly 100% protection rate, even with typical use. 

They work by preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs, making implantation unlikely or impossible, or making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg. 

The best part is that if you later decide to get pregnant, you can simply stop using these methods and resume your menstrual and ovulation cycles. 

However, if you’re not interested in starting a family at all, sterilization is the best option. Vasectomy is a choice for men, while women can opt for tubal ligation or salpingectomy (complete removal of the fallopian tubes).

You want birth control to be effortless

Most of our patients want their birth control method to fit seamlessly into their lives with no fuss and no hoops to jump through. If you like this hands-off approach to birth control, methods like IUDs and implants may be the best choice. 

Once the device is implanted, you don’t need to do anything else to maintain it. The copper IUD, ParaGard®, can offer pregnancy prevention for up to 10 years, while Skyla® offers three years, Kyleena® five years, and Mirena® eight years. Birth control implants like Nexplanon® are placed in your upper arm and deliver continuous pregnancy prevention by stopping ovulation for up to three years.

You want to guard against STDs

If protecting yourself against STDs is your greatest concern, condoms are your best option as they’re the only birth control method able to protect you from contracting a disease. Bonus: They can be used with any other birth control method you’re taking, adding an extra layer of protection against pregnancy.

You’re more au naturale

For those who prefer to take a more natural slant to pregnancy prevention, we recommend non-hormonal options such as spermicide, the natural rhythm method, and even abstinence. 

These methods require more willpower and diligence than others, but they are the most natural approaches and the easiest to stop and start, especially if you want to get pregnant quickly in the future. 

Using natural methods also makes it easier to detect a fertility problem if or when you want to start a family. 

Where we come in

You may already have your mind made up about which route is best for you, but we’d still like to discuss all of your options with you. Our doctors take a personalized approach when helping you select the best form of birth control for you. 

We consider factors like how often you have sex, possible side effects, the number of partners you have, your overall health, your comfort levels with a specific method, your future plans, and what has worked (or not worked) for you in the past.

If you would like more information about your options, don’t hesitate to request an appointment online or over the phone at our office today. We look forward to walking with you as you make this important decision about your health.