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- Endometriosis Institute -
Endometriosis Institute of Los Angeles
New Location!
9301 Wilshire Blvd. - Suite 208
Beverly Hills, California 90210
Phone: 213-640-2555 - Fax: 310-278-7599
Endometriosis has been an enigmatic disease since it's first diagnosis
in the mid-19th century. Since that time, there has been a continuous
stream of information and discoveries. But up until today, there are
still many unanswered questions. The questions which are most important
are:
Why does Endometriosis strike some women and does not others?
Why do some women with extensive Endometriosis, have hardly any symptoms
while others with minimal disease have severe symptoms?
What is the best way to diagnose and treat Endometriosis?
What exactly is the mechanism for reducing fertility in women who have
Endometriosis?
The doctors at the Tyler Medical Clinic, which was founded in the early
40's in West Los Angeles and primarily geared to diagnosis and treatment
of infertility, have been puzzled by this disease for many years. A
significant portion of the patients coming to the Tyler Medical Clinic
are suspected or proven to have Endometriosis. Recent statistics
indicate that infertility problems can be traced to Endometriosis in one
out of four couples. Because of the keen interest in this particular
area, the physicians at the Tyler Medical Clinic have been involved in
the research on the etiology of Endometriosis and in numerous studies
investigating the best and most effective ways to control the disease or
possibly eradicate it altogether. Because of this interest, the
Endometriosis Institute of Los Angeles was formed several years ago.
The primary interest of this institution is obviously the diagnosis,
treatment and the study of Endometriosis.
Some of the historical data of Endometriosis therapy dates back to the
'50's when increasing doses of oral contraceptives had been used in
hopes of controlling the disease. The next method of treatment used
Progesterone and synthetic Progestin to achieve better results. These
particular medications had worked to some degree but the side effects
were significant and forced some of the patients to discontinue therapy
because the symptoms of the disease were easier to tolerate than the
side effects of the medication.
By the early 70's, our physicians were involved in the last part of the
clinical investigations of Danazol (Danocrine) prior to FDA for
approval. At that time, we were quite impressed by the effectiveness of
this medication earmarked for the treatment of Endometriosis. The
patients treated in the early 70's are still followed now when in
spontaneous menopause.
Development in infertility surgery and primarily Laparoscopy was another
strong weapon in the control or eradication of Endometriosis. The
examination of the abdominal cavity and the pelvis became simpler.
Laparoscopy can be done as an outpatient procedure on an "in and out"
basis, it does not incapacitate the patient for extended lengths of time
and thus is much more acceptable. Following introduction of Danocrine
and Laparoscopy, several other medications specifically designed for
treatment of Endometriosis entered the market and gave the physician
even more choices to deal with this difficult disease. Understanding as
well as therapeutic armamentarium has improved significantly.
Our studies of various medications indicate that if the patient with
Endometriosis was diagnosed and treated properly, approximately 1/3 of
them will achieve a complete cure, 1/3 might have a return of
Endometriosis after several years but no symptoms, and 1/3 might
experience the return of Endometriosis as well as symptoms. The usual
time of relief of symptoms after proper therapy is three to five years.
Patients who experience return of the disease and symptoms can be
successfully retreated and will gain another chance of cure or
asymptomatic existence.
As noted above, our other interest is diagnosis and treatment of
infertility. Several symptom free years following completion of therapy
give the patient an excellent chance to conceive. Of course, pregnancy
will favorably affect the disease and increase the chances of complete
and satisfactory cure. Our more than three decades of experience
indicate that if patients are treated properly, the chance to conceive
is approximately 72%. Whereas if the therapy is not properly
administered, incomplete or there was no therapy at all, the chances of
conception are approximately 9%. That is a compelling reason to
investigate the best therapeutic options.
The physicians and other members of the Endometriosis Institute of Los
Angeles have had many years of experience in the diagnosis, medical and
surgical treatment of Endometriosis and understand the many problems of
the women who suffer from this disease. |
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Copyright © 2001 Institute
for Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Testing
Last modified:
04/02/04 |
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