Welcome to Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Colchester Endometriosis Centre
Colchester Endometriosis Centre
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition whereby the lining of the womb can be found at sites outside the womb. It is most commonly found in the pelvis or on the ovaries. It affects around 1 in 10 women. Symptoms usually consist of pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, pain passing a motion and/or sub-fertility. Diagnosis is principally by laparoscopy (a camera is passed though the belly button under general anaesthetic) to allow visualisation of the gynaecological organs.
The Colchester endometriosis team are:
Mr Barry Whitlow - Consultant Gynaecologist
Mrs Denise Raven (PA to Mr Whitlow tel: 01206 742455, email:denise.raven@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk)
Prof Roger Motson & Mr Tan Arulampalam - Consultant colorectal surgeons
Mrs Jane Hendricks - Laparoscopic nurse practitioner
Dr Adam Masters & Dr Sri Ramachanran- Consultant Anaesthetists with special interest in pain management
Dr Madhavi Venumbakar & Dr Nicola Lacey - Consultant Radiologists with special expertise in Pelvic MRI imaging
Services provided / Referrals:
- A weekly pelvic pain/endometriosis clinic on Monday afternoons - referrals can be made by general practitioners using the 'choose and book' system or by a referral letter from other consultants / GPs
- A multidisciplinary team approach, with specialist expertise in advanced laparoscopic gynaecological and colorectal surgery, specialist pain management and specialist radiology
The Colchester endometriosis centre is the first such centre in the east of England and uses the latest state of the art laparoscopic theatre equipment, including carbondioxide laser, harmonic scalpel and the operating laparoscope.
Treatment of endometriosis
Medical treatment
Medical treatments improve symptoms by suppressing the endometriosis. Examples used include the combined oral contraceptive pill, progestogens (eg norethisterone, provera), depo provera injection, and gonadotrophin releasing analogues (eg Zoladex, Prostap, decapeptyl). Around 60-80 out of 100 patients will have improvement of their pain symptoms. Recurrence rates on stopping treatment, however, are high, with up to 50 in 100 recurring at one year.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment usually involves keyhole surgery, and usually the endometriosis is excised completely at the Colchester endometriosis centre (as opposed to burning it away to an estimated depth). Overall symptomatic improvement following excisional surgery occurs in 70 out of 100 cases. Mild cases usually go home the same day and more severe cases may stay from 1-7 days.
Useful web links:
