Endometriosis Doctor in Katy, TX
Painful periods that stop you from working, pain with sex, or pelvic pain that never quite settles are not something you simply have to live with.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation, scarring and pain. It affects roughly one in ten women of reproductive age and often takes years to diagnose. At our Katy office, Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy offers careful evaluation, hormonal and pain treatment, and minimally invasive surgery when it is needed.
Understanding Endometriosis
In endometriosis, tissue similar to the uterine lining grows on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer surface of the uterus, the lining of the pelvis, and sometimes the bladder or bowel. This tissue responds to monthly hormone changes, which leads to inflammation, scar tissue (adhesions) and, in some women, cysts on the ovaries called endometriomas.
The amount of endometriosis does not always match the amount of pain. Some women with small areas of disease have severe pain, while others with more extensive disease have few symptoms. Endometriosis can also affect fertility.
The average delay between first symptoms and diagnosis is several years, in part because painful periods are so often dismissed as normal. Period pain that keeps you home from school or work, or that does not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers, deserves an evaluation.
Symptoms and Related Conditions
Symptoms often follow the menstrual cycle, but pain can become constant over time.
Common symptoms
- Severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
- Chronic pelvic or lower back pain
- Pain during or after intercourse
- Pain with bowel movements or urination, especially during periods
- Bloating, constipation or diarrhea around your period
- Heavy or irregular bleeding
- Fatigue
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
Conditions that can overlap
- Adenomyosis, where similar tissue grows into the wall of the uterus
- Uterine fibroids
- Interstitial cystitis and bladder pain
- Pelvic floor muscle tension
- Irritable bowel syndrome
When several conditions are present, treating each one gives the best chance of lasting relief. Learn more about chronic pelvic pain care.
When Should You See a Specialist?
Consider an appointment if:
- Period pain causes you to miss work, school or activities
- Pain relievers or birth control pills have not controlled your pain
- You have pain with intercourse, bowel movements or urination
- You have been told you have an ovarian cyst or endometrioma
- You have pelvic pain and have been trying to conceive without success
Seek emergency care for sudden, severe pelvic pain, pain with fever or vomiting, fainting, or heavy bleeding. A ruptured or twisted ovarian cyst can need urgent treatment. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Endometriosis Care From Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy
Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, and in advanced minimally invasive gynecology. That training covers both the medical management of endometriosis and the laparoscopic surgery used to diagnose and treat it.
Because endometriosis often involves the bladder, bowel and pelvic floor as well as the reproductive organs, her urogynecology background helps her look at the whole pelvis. She listens carefully, explains your options in plain language and respects your goals, including future fertility.
How Endometriosis Is Diagnosed
- Detailed history: the timing and pattern of pain and its relationship to your cycle, intercourse, bowel movements and urination.
- Pelvic examination: to check for tenderness, nodules, fixed organs and pelvic floor muscle tension.
- Pelvic ultrasound: which can show endometriomas and other causes of pain such as fibroids.
- MRI: in selected cases, to map deeper disease before surgery.
- Laparoscopy: a minimally invasive procedure that allows the surgeon to see and biopsy endometriosis directly, and to remove it at the same time.
Many women can begin treatment based on symptoms and examination findings without surgery first.
Treatment Options for Endometriosis
Treatment depends on your symptoms, the extent of disease, your age and whether you hope to become pregnant.
Medical treatment
- Anti-inflammatory pain relievers: to reduce period pain.
- Hormonal birth control: pills, patches or rings, often taken continuously to reduce or stop periods.
- Progestin therapy: including pills, injections or a hormonal IUD.
- GnRH-based medications: which lower estrogen levels to quiet endometriosis, used for limited periods with measures to protect bone health.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: for muscle tension that often accompanies endometriosis pain.
Surgical treatment
- Laparoscopic excision or ablation: removing or destroying endometriosis through small incisions.
- Removal of endometriomas: while preserving healthy ovarian tissue whenever possible.
- Release of adhesions: to restore normal anatomy.
- Hysterectomy: considered only for selected women who have completed childbearing and have severe symptoms, often together with treatment of all visible disease.
Endometriosis can return after treatment, so many women continue hormonal therapy after surgery. If pregnancy is your goal, we will discuss timing and coordinate with a fertility specialist when appropriate.
What Can You Expect From Treatment?
Most women experience meaningful pain relief with hormonal treatment, surgery or a combination of the two. Improvement with medication is usually seen within a few months. Recovery from laparoscopy is typically one to two weeks for most daily activities. Endometriosis is a long-term condition, so follow-up visits help us adjust your plan as your needs and goals change.
Endometriosis Care in Katy, Texas
Specialist care that takes your pain seriously and considers the bladder, bowel and pelvic floor too.
- Board-certified OB/GYN and urogynecologist
- Board-certified in advanced minimally invasive gynecology
- Fertility goals respected in every plan
- Hormonal and non-hormonal options
- Pelvic floor physical therapy support
- Unhurried, compassionate visits
What Our Patients Say
Patients share their experience of care at our Katy office. Individual results vary.
Dr. Elshatanoufy is simply wonderful! She took the time to thoroughly explain my extensive lab results and other tests, answered all of my questions, and gave me the confidence and peace of mind I needed before moving forward with the procedure.
The entire staff was also incredibly attentive, courteous, and welcoming throughout my visit. I truly loved my experience there and felt very well cared for. I definitely trust Dr. Elshatanoufy and her team with my health needs and would highly recommend them!
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Solafa. She is warm, attentive, and incredibly compassionate. She takes her time during appointments, listens carefully to concerns, and never makes you feel rushed. Her bedside manner is truly wonderful, and she creates such a comfortable and reassuring environment. You can tell she genuinely cares about her patients. Very sweet, professional, and knowledgeable. I’m so grateful to have found her for my mom’s treatment.
Dr. Elshatanoufy was truly lovely to work with. I’ve had a hard time pinning down my symptoms but she was willing to hear my concerns and do a thorough examination to rule out more serious conditions. She was thorough, efficient, patient, gentle, and kind during the pelvic examination, which is a vulnerable position for women. I felt that she genuinely cared for my wellbeing. After receiving less than ideal care at a neighboring practice in Katy, I am really grateful to Dr. E for validating my concerns, making me feel heard, and reassured with my next steps.
The waiting room was pretty busy and cold when I went. Suggest bringing headphones and some long sleeves!
My experience perfection. From check in to check out. Dia was my MA and she was so professional and a pleasure. She answered all my questions and made sure I was taken care of. Dr Elshatanoufy was AWESOME! Great bedside manner and make my exam comfortable. Then I had the pleasure to check out with Elizabeth and she was just as pleasant. I can tell this is an office that cares greatly for their patients!
This was my first visit at Katy Women’s Pelvic Health. It was a great experience, from checking in with a very helpful and friendly receptionist to being seeing by Nida the office manager, Oyin the NP and Dr. E. Everyone was very friendly, professional, and made the visit very comfortable. They thoroughly explained all the finding and the options for treatment. I highly recommend this practice.
Dr E. and her whole staff are gems! They have the best customer service, energy, and I noticed they are great with all other patients besides me. Dr E. really listens to your problems, offers solutions and she explains things so well. You can tell she loves what she does and does a wonderful job at it. I definitely recommend her practice to anyone seeking top notch, high quality care.
Just the kindest people! I was so at ease with the whole experience!! Very knowledgeable, explained everything and answered all my questions!!! Wish I had found her earlier in my life!!
Mi nombre es Nidia, I am a patient at Katy Women’s Pelvic Health and had my surgery less than 15 days ago. This clinic is highly recommended for its excellent medical and humane care. This type of care is provided by the entire staff, in addition to the doctor, including the receptionist, nurses, and health technicians. The surgeon is Solafa Elshatanoufy, who has more than 20 years of experience in women’s pelvic health, offering modern, effective, and minimally invasive treatments in many cases. She is a compassionate and empathetic person who makes you feel safe, listened to, and cared for by expert and professional hands. The environment is clean and welcoming, and thanks to its modernity, I felt almost no discomfort or pain during the procedures, and everything was quick.
One of the best places to see OBGYN. My mom sees Dr. Solafa. The staffs, nurses, Doctors and the services they provide are very professional and welcoming. Highly recommended.
Top-tier doctor and extremely skilled surgeon, I could not have been more blessed to have her taking care of me. Thank you, Dr. E!
Dr. E is a super great Doctor who listens attentively and collaborates closely with patients throughout every step of the process. Additionally, the office staff was professional, courteous, and efficient.
Dr. E is so kind and professional. She listened to all my concerns and had an answer to all my questions. She made sure I was happy with my medications. Her staff is so helpful and make the visit go quickly and efficiently. I am so glad I found Dr E!
Dr. E has the best bedside manner compared to all the doctors I have seen before. She is so knowledgeable and truly cares for her patients and wants the best for everyone. I feel incredibly lucky to find a doctor willing to always spare time for patients. She is amazing and 1000% worth the wait!!!!
Frequently Asked Questions About Endometriosis
Is painful period cramping always endometriosis?
No. Many women have painful periods without endometriosis. Pain that disrupts daily life or does not respond to usual pain relievers should be evaluated, because endometriosis is one possible cause.
Can endometriosis be seen on an ultrasound?
Ultrasound can show endometriomas (ovarian cysts) and some deeper disease, but small areas of endometriosis are often not visible. Laparoscopy is the only way to confirm the diagnosis directly.
Do I need surgery for endometriosis?
Not always. Many women are well managed with hormonal medication. Surgery is considered when pain persists, when a cyst needs removal, or when the diagnosis needs to be confirmed.
Can endometriosis affect fertility?
It can. Many women with endometriosis conceive naturally, but it can make pregnancy more difficult. Your treatment plan will take your fertility goals into account.
Will endometriosis come back after surgery?
It can return, which is why hormonal treatment is often continued after surgery. Follow-up care helps catch and manage recurrence early.
Does endometriosis go away after menopause?
Symptoms usually improve after menopause as estrogen levels fall, although some women continue to have pain related to scar tissue.
Do you see patients from outside Katy?
Yes. Women from Fulshear, Richmond, Sugar Land, Cypress and across Greater Houston are seen at our Katy office.
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Endometriosis consultations, imaging review and follow-up visits take place at our Katy office at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320. Surgery, when needed, is performed at an affiliated hospital in the area. We welcome new patients from Katy, Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Richmond, Sugar Land, Cypress and West Houston.
Ready to Get Answers About Your Pain?
Endometriosis is common and treatable. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy to discuss your symptoms and your goals.
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Katy, TX 77494