The Doctor Will See You Now: Recognizing and Treating Endometriosis

Seckin, a well-known gynecologist and surgeon who specializes in treating endometriosis, brings valuable and long-overdue attention to this debilitating disease, estimated to affect 176 million women worldwide. Seckin explains that the condition occurs when the endometrium sheds and, instead of exiting the body during menstruation, spreads outside the uterus to other organs and nerves in the pelvic area. In separate, concise chapters, the author addresses potential problems experienced with periods, "killer cramps," sex, bowel movements, neuropathy, fertility, and fatigue. He also weaves in the case histories of a number of his patients, many previously misdiagnosed by other physicians. Diagnosis often takes more than a decade; endometriosis, Seckin points out, is not a required subject in most medical schools. Moreover, he feels that many physicians are unaware of what he considers the "gold standard" for endometriosis treatment: laparoscopic deep-excision surgery. The method, he claims, is preferable to laser surgery (which may allow the inflamed tissue to grow back) or hysterectomy, which not only thwarts the possibility of bearing children but also does not address the spread to other organs. This comprehensive text, as the author hopes, is likely to raise awareness among other physicians and among general readers, particularly women who will now have the knowledge necessary to become powerful self-advocates. (Mar.)