Endometriosis
Dr. Bradley Goldberg, a Board-certified OB/GYN at CRH Women's Center, joins us today to discuss the effects of endometriosis and the treatment that the CRH Women's Center offers to those who are experiencing the illness.
Featured Speaker:
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.
Dr. Goldberg is a board-certified specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is experienced in high-risk obstetrics as well as a variety of gynecological surgeries and procedures, including advanced procedures such as total laparoscopic hysterectomies and endometrial ablations. Dr. Goldberg earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and his medical degree at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta, where he was the chief resident from 1996-97. Since establishing his practice at Coffee Regional, he served as chief of staff in 2000. He is a member of the Medical Association of Georgia and has been a proud member of our community since 1997. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, travel and spending time with his lovely family. Transcription:
Endometriosis
Vicki Lewis: Welcome to Discussions with the Doc. This is a healthcare podcast brought to you by Coffee, Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Georgia, where our mission is to provide exceptional care and wellness close to home. Join us as we learn more about rural healthcare in South Georgia.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, welcome back to another episode of Discussions with the Doc. Today, we are discussing endometriosis with Dr. Brad Goldberg, a board certified OB GYN with CRH Women's Center. Thank you for being with us today, Dr. Goldberg.
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Thank you.
Caitlin Whyte: So endometriosis is a condition affecting more than 3 million people a year. So to start us off, Dr. Goldberg, can you explain to us what endometriosis is?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Certainly, endometriosis is a condition when the cells that normally are found lining the uterus are instead found in places they're not supposed to be such as underneath the uterus on the over. And in some cases, even on the bowel or bladder, in fact, there's even been cases where women have found the habit in the lungs and in old incisions from previous surgeries.
Caitlin Whyte: So then tell us about how common it is and the symptoms. I mean, what leads to the symptoms that we hear about in the news sometimes?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Endometriosis affects about 10% of women. However, you'll find it in higher percentages in women with certain medical problems, such as infertility or chronic pelvic pain. Of course, then the incidents would be much higher, probably around 30 to 40% of those patients would be found to have endometriosis. Most women have symptoms consisting of pelvic pain, worse during their period and more stirring.
Caitlin Whyte: So how can endometriosis be diagnosed?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Typically, endometriosis is diagnosed by surgery specifically, laparoscopy. That could be by either visualizing it at the surgery or preferably by biopsying it and sending that down to the laboratory for them to look under the microscope. However, most women who have endometriosis symptoms can be clinically diagnosed, which means based on their symptoms, you can assume medically that they have endometriosis, especially if they respond to certain treatments and therefore not everybody who has those symptoms will necessarily need the surgical diagnosis.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, let's talk about treatment options for someone who's been diagnosed properly with endometriosis, what are their options?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: There are several treatment options for endometriosis. The most common treatment options consist of birth control pills. In fact, probably half the time that we prescribed birth control pills in the office. It's for reasons other than birth control, such as the symptoms that go along with endometriosis, of pelvic pain, pain on their periods or pain during intercourse. Also there's prescription medications and non prescription medications that may help such as nonsteroidal. Anti-inflammatories commonly over the counter, ibuprofen and Naproxen, or even stronger prescription medications.
If they don't respond to those, there's a step up in the treatment in more specialized medications, such as GNRH agonists, which actually block the estrogen to those cells that cause the pain and therefore break the pain cycle. And of course there's always surgery. If all else fails, either laparoscopy or ultimately hysterectomy, of course, much further down the.
Caitlin Whyte: I'd love to ask about pregnancy. I know there's some myths about endometriosis and pregnancy out there, or just stuff I've heard from the women and friends in my life. Can you clear that up for us?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Well, commonly endometriosis can be a cause of infertility. However, most patients with endometriosis or suspected endometriosis will be able to get pregnant and have normal, healthy pregnancies and a healthy baby. In fact, many women who have endometriosis, their symptoms actually improve during the pregnancy because of the way the hormones change during pregnancy that converts to the endometriosos will convert to a form that doesn't cause quite so much pain.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, that leads me to my next question. Dr. Goldberg, my last question here, actually, what would you like people to know if they are diagnosed with endometriosis? Can you live typically quote, unquote, normal life with it?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Absolutely. Everyone who has endometriosis doesn't necessarily need surgery. Typically in my practice, I save that for if all else fails. And if symptoms are mild women, of course, could self treat with the over-the-counter medications that we mentioned such as ibuprofen or Naproxen. But if they're not responding to that, they definitely should bring this up with their OB GYN physician. This is a common condition that we treat almost daily in the office and there's definitely treatment available, there's options available. So women don't have to suffer with this.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, we love to hear that doctor. Is there anything else as we wrap up here that you would like patients to know?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Mainly that this is a condition that most OB-GYNs are extremely familiar with. We see it on a daily basis, multiple times through the day, actually. And there's definitely help available, so they should not hesitate to contact their physician.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, Dr. Goldberg, thank you so much for taking the time to shed some light on this condition that affects so many people to schedule an appointment with Dr. Goldberg at the CRH Women's Center, please call 912-384-2500 that's 912-384-2500. Or visit us online at CRHwomenscenter.com.
Vicki Lewis: We've decided to create this podcast, to educate our community and enlighten those throughout our great nation about rural health care. We hope you subscribe and enjoy Discussions with the Doc. Thank you for listening to this podcast, sponsored by Coffee Regional Medical Center, where our purpose is to serve, to heal, to save.
Caitlin Whyte: This concludes today's episode of Discussions with the Doc. We invite you to download subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on apple podcasts, Google podcasts, and Spotify. For more episodes and information on our providers and services. Visit us online at coffeeregional.org. This program aims to enhance your health and wellness knowledge by fulfilling the vision of Coffee Regional Medical Center, healthy lifestyles, better lives.
None of the information provided in this episode should serve as a diagnosis or approval of the treatment for any ailment. The information and opinions provided in the podcast do not create any type of doctor, patient relationship. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, including, but not limited to patients that you are treating. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. The opinions of the guests do not necessarily represent the opinion of Coffee Regional Medical Center.
Endometriosis
Vicki Lewis: Welcome to Discussions with the Doc. This is a healthcare podcast brought to you by Coffee, Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Georgia, where our mission is to provide exceptional care and wellness close to home. Join us as we learn more about rural healthcare in South Georgia.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, welcome back to another episode of Discussions with the Doc. Today, we are discussing endometriosis with Dr. Brad Goldberg, a board certified OB GYN with CRH Women's Center. Thank you for being with us today, Dr. Goldberg.
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Thank you.
Caitlin Whyte: So endometriosis is a condition affecting more than 3 million people a year. So to start us off, Dr. Goldberg, can you explain to us what endometriosis is?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Certainly, endometriosis is a condition when the cells that normally are found lining the uterus are instead found in places they're not supposed to be such as underneath the uterus on the over. And in some cases, even on the bowel or bladder, in fact, there's even been cases where women have found the habit in the lungs and in old incisions from previous surgeries.
Caitlin Whyte: So then tell us about how common it is and the symptoms. I mean, what leads to the symptoms that we hear about in the news sometimes?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Endometriosis affects about 10% of women. However, you'll find it in higher percentages in women with certain medical problems, such as infertility or chronic pelvic pain. Of course, then the incidents would be much higher, probably around 30 to 40% of those patients would be found to have endometriosis. Most women have symptoms consisting of pelvic pain, worse during their period and more stirring.
Caitlin Whyte: So how can endometriosis be diagnosed?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Typically, endometriosis is diagnosed by surgery specifically, laparoscopy. That could be by either visualizing it at the surgery or preferably by biopsying it and sending that down to the laboratory for them to look under the microscope. However, most women who have endometriosis symptoms can be clinically diagnosed, which means based on their symptoms, you can assume medically that they have endometriosis, especially if they respond to certain treatments and therefore not everybody who has those symptoms will necessarily need the surgical diagnosis.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, let's talk about treatment options for someone who's been diagnosed properly with endometriosis, what are their options?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: There are several treatment options for endometriosis. The most common treatment options consist of birth control pills. In fact, probably half the time that we prescribed birth control pills in the office. It's for reasons other than birth control, such as the symptoms that go along with endometriosis, of pelvic pain, pain on their periods or pain during intercourse. Also there's prescription medications and non prescription medications that may help such as nonsteroidal. Anti-inflammatories commonly over the counter, ibuprofen and Naproxen, or even stronger prescription medications.
If they don't respond to those, there's a step up in the treatment in more specialized medications, such as GNRH agonists, which actually block the estrogen to those cells that cause the pain and therefore break the pain cycle. And of course there's always surgery. If all else fails, either laparoscopy or ultimately hysterectomy, of course, much further down the.
Caitlin Whyte: I'd love to ask about pregnancy. I know there's some myths about endometriosis and pregnancy out there, or just stuff I've heard from the women and friends in my life. Can you clear that up for us?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Well, commonly endometriosis can be a cause of infertility. However, most patients with endometriosis or suspected endometriosis will be able to get pregnant and have normal, healthy pregnancies and a healthy baby. In fact, many women who have endometriosis, their symptoms actually improve during the pregnancy because of the way the hormones change during pregnancy that converts to the endometriosos will convert to a form that doesn't cause quite so much pain.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, that leads me to my next question. Dr. Goldberg, my last question here, actually, what would you like people to know if they are diagnosed with endometriosis? Can you live typically quote, unquote, normal life with it?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Absolutely. Everyone who has endometriosis doesn't necessarily need surgery. Typically in my practice, I save that for if all else fails. And if symptoms are mild women, of course, could self treat with the over-the-counter medications that we mentioned such as ibuprofen or Naproxen. But if they're not responding to that, they definitely should bring this up with their OB GYN physician. This is a common condition that we treat almost daily in the office and there's definitely treatment available, there's options available. So women don't have to suffer with this.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, we love to hear that doctor. Is there anything else as we wrap up here that you would like patients to know?
Bradley Goldberg, M.D.: Mainly that this is a condition that most OB-GYNs are extremely familiar with. We see it on a daily basis, multiple times through the day, actually. And there's definitely help available, so they should not hesitate to contact their physician.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, Dr. Goldberg, thank you so much for taking the time to shed some light on this condition that affects so many people to schedule an appointment with Dr. Goldberg at the CRH Women's Center, please call 912-384-2500 that's 912-384-2500. Or visit us online at CRHwomenscenter.com.
Vicki Lewis: We've decided to create this podcast, to educate our community and enlighten those throughout our great nation about rural health care. We hope you subscribe and enjoy Discussions with the Doc. Thank you for listening to this podcast, sponsored by Coffee Regional Medical Center, where our purpose is to serve, to heal, to save.
Caitlin Whyte: This concludes today's episode of Discussions with the Doc. We invite you to download subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on apple podcasts, Google podcasts, and Spotify. For more episodes and information on our providers and services. Visit us online at coffeeregional.org. This program aims to enhance your health and wellness knowledge by fulfilling the vision of Coffee Regional Medical Center, healthy lifestyles, better lives.
None of the information provided in this episode should serve as a diagnosis or approval of the treatment for any ailment. The information and opinions provided in the podcast do not create any type of doctor, patient relationship. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, including, but not limited to patients that you are treating. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. The opinions of the guests do not necessarily represent the opinion of Coffee Regional Medical Center.