How is endometriosis diagnosed?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Endometriosis is a particularly difficult diagnosis, because it will not show up on an ultrasound or other imaging tests. That means that some women literally wait years for a diagnosis. The only definitive test to diagnose endometriosis is a laparoscopy. Your doctor looks at your abdominal organs using a small visualizing tool called a laparoscope. A physician can view your abdomen through a small incision made near your navel and see the presence and extent of endometrium.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulEndometriosis is a particularly difficult diagnosis, because it will not show up on an ultrasound or other imaging tests. That means that some women literally wait years for a diagnosis. The only definitive test to diagnose endometriosis is a... More -
There are a variety of ways to diagnose endometriosis, but usually your doctor will begin by performing a pelvic exam. With a pelvic exam, your doctor can identify any cysts or scars that have developed. He could also perform an ultrasound or laparoscopy to produce images of the endometrial buildup. Lastly, your doctor might perform a blood test like the cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) to test for a protein that is commonly associated with endometriosis.
There are a variety of ways to diagnose endometriosis, but usually your doctor will begin by performing a pelvic exam. With a pelvic exam, your doctor can identify any cysts or scars that have developed. He could also perform an ultrasound or... More -
Dr. Madeleine Castellanos MD of Good In Bed answered:The diagnosis of endometriosis can only be definitively diagnosed by having it directly viewed by laparoscopic surgery. But, it can often be suspected with a high degree of certainty by taking a careful history and good bimanual pelvic exam by the Gynecologist. There are, however, women who never experience any symptoms of endometriosis, but find that they have difficulty conceiving. Because the scar tissue can form cysts around the ovaries and can also stick to the fallopian tubes, it can interfere with their movement and their ability to let an ovum pass into the uterus for fertilization. The result is that a large percentage of women with endometriosis cannot get pregnant naturally or have a higher chance of having an ectopic pregnancy (the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus). Women with endometriosis that have been unable to get pregnant naturally may instead opt for IVF (in vitro fertilization) which bypasses the fallopian tubes entirely. If a woman with endometriosis does get pregnant, however, the nine months of suppressed periods can actually eliminate the endometriosis for many.The diagnosis of endometriosis can only be definitively diagnosed by having it directly viewed by laparoscopic surgery. But, it can often be suspected with a high degree of certainty by taking a careful history and good bimanual pelvic exam... More -
Healthwise answered:To see whether your symptoms are caused by endometriosis, your doctor first will:
- Talk to you about your family and medical history, symptoms and menstrual periods.
- Do a pelvic exam. This often includes checking both the vagina and rectum.
If your exam, symptoms and risk factors strongly suggest that you have endometriosis, your doctor may suggest that you first try a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and/or hormone therapy before you have other tests. If treatment improves your symptoms after a few months, the diagnosis of endometriosis is more certain.
LaparoscopyLaparoscopy is a surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat endometriosis. If your doctor recommends a laparoscopy, it will be used to look for and possibly remove implants and scar tissue. But laparoscopy is not always needed. It is usually done when infertility requires rapid treatment and probable surgery or when treatment has not relieved pain or infertility.
Tests for ovarian cysts or other problemsIf your doctor feels an abnormal mass during the pelvic exam, you may have a cyst on the ovary ( ovarian endometrioma ) or another problem. You may need a transvaginal ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI.
To see whether your symptoms are caused by endometriosis, your doctor first will: Talk to you about your family and medical history, symptoms and menstrual periods. Do a pelvic exam. This often includes checking both the vagina and rectum. If... More -
Diagnosis of endometriosis is made by a combination of tests, including:
- a careful history of the symptoms and menstrual cycle of the patient
- a thorough pelvic examination
- a laparoscopy, during which the abdominal cavity, the ovaries, and other structures can be seen.
Diagnosis of endometriosis is made by a combination of tests, including: a careful history of the symptoms and menstrual cycle of the patient a thorough pelvic examination a laparoscopy, during which the abdominal cavity, the ovaries, and... More -
Greenville Health System answered:In couples with infertility, the approach first includes assessment of the male (semen analysis), the fallopian tubes (HSG) and some assessment of ovulatory status. In women with painful periods, inclusion of a laparoscopy is also warranted, since up to 40% of couples may have endometriosis diagnosed following this procedure.
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In couples with infertility, the approach first includes assessment of the male (semen analysis), the fallopian tubes (HSG) and some assessment of ovulatory status. In women with painful periods, inclusion of a laparoscopy is also warranted, since... More
