Endometriosis is a gynecological disease that affects many women in France and around the world. It is a chronic and often painful condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
This tissue can develop in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum or other organs of the pelvis. Faced with this problem, it's essential for patients to know which professionals to turn to for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
The Centre de l'Endométriose Complex (CEC), headed by Professor Olivier Donnez, is the benchmark for endometriosis surgery.
Key stages in the endometriosis care pathway
The most important first step is to obtain a reliable and rapid diagnosis. Endometriosis is often diagnosed late, which can lead to complications and make treatment more difficult. Several types of professionals can be involved in the treatment process:
- The general practitioner: in the event of pelvic pain, painful periods or fertility problems, the general practitioner is often the first person to consult. If necessary, he or she can refer the patient to a specialist.
- The midwife : This healthcare professional is also one of the front-line players in the diagnostic strategy for endometriosis. She initiates first-line treatments and orders appropriate tests if necessary.
- The medical gynecologist: can perform a clinical examination and prescribe additional tests (pelvic ultrasound, MRI, etc.) to confirm or rule out the presence of endometriosis. He or she also initiates first-line therapies.
- Organ specialists: depending on the location and severity of the endometriosis, it may be necessary to consult an experienced gynecologist specialized in endometriosis surgery, a urologist, a gastroenterologist or a visceral surgeon, for comprehensive management of the disease.
The Complex Endometriosis Center's involvement in the management of endometriosis
The Complex Endometriosis Center stands out for its expertise in endometriosis surgery. Headed by Professor Olivier Donnez, the center brings together highly qualified and experienced healthcare professionals in this precise field.
The surgical procedures offered at the CEC are numerous and adapted to the individual needs of each patient:
- Laparoscopy: This is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including endometriosis. It confirms the diagnosis of endometriosis through direct observation of lesions, adhesions or endometriotic implants. Laparoscopy is used to surgically excise endometriotic implants and release adhesions. This medical practice considerably reduces pain and improves fertility in women with endometriosis.
- Hysterectomy: In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the uterus to effectively treat adenomyosis, which is characterized by the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, inside the uterine muscle (myometrium).
Adenomyosis is similar to endometriosis, but is distinguished by its location within the uterine wall. Hysterectomy is a major operation considered as a last resort, when other treatments have failed to achieve significant improvement. - Conservative surgery: aims to preserve the patient's fertility as far as possible, by preserving the reproductive organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes) and the rest of the genital system. It often involves removal of endometriotic lesions and ovarian cysts.
At the CEC, patients benefit from personalized support throughout their treatment. The medical team regularly assesses each patient's state of health, and adjusts treatment if necessary.
The benefits of treatment at the Complex Endometriosis Center
CEC offers several advantages for women with endometriosis:
- Comprehensive care: patients receive comprehensive care from diagnosis through to treatment, including psychological and dietary support.
- Accurate diagnosis: the medical examinations and imaging techniques we use enable us to accurately detect the presence and location of endometriotic lesions.
- Quality care: the Complex Endometriosis Center is recognized for its expertise in endometriosis surgery, guaranteeing patients an optimized procedure tailored to their pathology.
- Personalized care: each case is studied individually to offer a tailor-made treatment and ensure the best possible care for each woman concerned.
Find your nearest endometriosis center
Depending on your geographical location and the specifics of your condition, you can call on the expertise of a center or clinic specializing in the diagnosis, management and treatment of endometriosis.
To do this, consult your GP, midwife or gynecologist, who will be able to direct you to the facility best suited to your needs. It's essential to find out about the skills and experience of the medical staff before making your choice, so that you can benefit from optimum care.
Managing endometriosis requires a multidisciplinary approach and experienced healthcare professionals. The Centre de l'Endométriose Complexe, directed by Professor Olivier Donnez, is an example of a specialized center that offers comprehensive care tailored to each patient, thanks to the expertise of its medical team and the quality of the care offered.
The Complex Endometriosis Center specializes in the complete management of endometriosis, particularly in its most complex forms. The CEC offers treatment for various types of endometriosis, includingdeep endometriosis, l'internal endometriosis , l'ovarian endometriosis andperitoneal endometriosis. Our expertise covers endometriosis surgery using advanced techniques such as the CO2 laser in laparoscopic surgery.