Endometriosis is a common condition, but it’s often not diagnosed for years. This is mainly because its symptoms can be mild and confused with other conditions. There’s no single endometriosis test that leads to a diagnosis, but doctors can determine it by looking at several factors.
About 1 in 10 women will experience endometriosis during their reproductive years. If you’re dealing with chronic pain, heavy bleeding or infertility, getting a diagnosis is key to finding the right treatment.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside it. This tissue can grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or other organs in the pelvic area.
Each month, this tissue reacts to hormonal changes like the uterine lining – thickening, breaking down and bleeding. However, because this tissue has nowhere to go, it can get trapped, causing pain, inflammation and sometimes scar tissue or adhesions.
Common symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Painful periods
- Pain during or after sex
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Trouble getting pregnant
If you have these symptoms and think you might have endometriosis, make an appointment with your gynecologist. Catching it early can help you manage the condition better.
Is there an endometriosis test?
Diagnosing endometriosis can be tricky. Because no single endometriosis test exists, doctors use a combination of your medical history, symptoms and tests.
The most accurate way to diagnose endometriosis is through a laparoscopy, a small surgery that allows doctors to directly see the tissue and take biopsies if needed.
Medical history and symptoms
The first step in diagnosing endometriosis usually involves a conversation between you and your doctor about your symptoms. They will ask about your menstrual cycle, pelvic pain, fertility and how severe your symptoms are. They may also ask if anyone in your family has had endometriosis since it can run in families.
This discussion won’t confirm endometriosis, but it helps your doctor decide what to do next. Tracking your symptoms, such as when pain happens and how bad it is, can be helpful for your doctor.
Pelvic exam
A pelvic exam is often one of the first physical exams your doctor will do. During this exam, they will feel your pelvic area to check for things like cysts or scar tissue. While a pelvic exam alone can’t provide an endometriosis diagnosis, it can give your doctor clues about what might be going on.
Imaging tests
Imaging tests, like ultrasounds and MRIs, can help find complications that may be linked to endometriosis, such as cysts, but they can’t definitively diagnose it.
- Transvaginal ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create pictures of your pelvic organs. It can sometimes show cysts related to endometriosis but might not catch smaller or less obvious tissue changes.
- MRI: MRI scans give a detailed picture of the pelvic area and are sometimes used to check for the severity of endometriosis, especially if surgery is being considered.
These tests can give useful information but can’t confirm endometriosis on their own.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopic surgery, called a laparoscopy, is the most reliable way to diagnose endometriosis. It’s a minimally invasive surgery in which a surgeon uses a small camera to examine your pelvic organs and check for endometrial-like tissue. If any tissue looks suspicious, the surgeon may take a biopsy and analyze it.
Doctors can also use laparoscopy to treat endometriosis since the surgeon can remove or treat any tissue found during the procedure. It’s the most accurate but invasive test, so it’s usually only done if other methods haven’t provided clear answers or if surgery is a necessary treatment for endometriosis.
Blood tests
Currently, there’s no blood test specifically for endometriosis. However, researchers are working on tests that may help identify markers for the condition.
One test, CA-125, can sometimes be higher in women with endometriosis, especially if they have large cysts. However, test results can come back elevated for other conditions, so doctors don’t use it to diagnose endometriosis.
Why is early diagnosis important?
Early diagnosis is important because endometriosis can cause long-term pain, fertility issues and other complications. While there’s no cure for it, treatments like pain management, hormonal therapies and surgery can help manage the symptoms.
An early diagnosis means better options for treatment that can improve your quality of life.
How we can help
If you think you may have endometriosis, it’s important to see your gynecologist. Although the diagnosis process can take time and can be challenging, it’s an important step to creating a treatment plan for you and improving your quality of life.
Learn about the women’s health and gynecological services we offer at Bon Secours.
