How do they test and treat endometriosis?

I am going to the doctor at the end of this month because I think I have it. I was just wondering how they test and treat this. Thanks.

1. Birth control pills containing progestin.

2. Danazol in extremely low does ( an anabolic steroid that should slow the growth)

3. If those don't work then the only other option is surgery.

Can I ask why you think you have endometriosis???

Hi Monica
To truly test for endo they actually need to have a look inside using a microscope. The official name is called laparoscopy, which is the procedure where they insert three small holes into your stomach, which allows them to use really small camera's to have a look inside your stomach. They are looking for 'endometriosis growth'.

Usually they will get your consent to remove any endometriosis they find at the same time, so that you don't need to go through surgery again.

However in the early stages, which it sounds like you're at, they will probably do a physical examination, much like a smear. Birth Control pills are often used first to see if symptoms stop. The reason is that endometriosis occurs because your tissue (called endometrium tissue) starts depositing itself in areas outside of the womb, hence why you can get pain. The birth control pills controls the hormones involved in this process so long story short, you should get less endometrium tissue, therefore less pain.

Like many other women who have been diagnosed, what works for each person is very different. I was diagnosed at 25 (am 32 now) and have had two operations since. I'm feeling fantastic now and also feel a lot better when I'm on birth control pills. Diet and Exercise also help and there's heaps of information on the web or books if you want to find out more.

Try www.yourendometriosisonline.com - good luck!

As someone who went through years of "you're too young", I finally got diagnosed in 2003 at 22 years old. The first thing they try to do is give you birth control pills. They may or may not help...and then they may help but get so they don't help. Another option that was put out there for me was a treatment that puts your body through menopause using hormones. It was not really an option I considered because it can do the same things to your bones and body that menopause does. However, once treatment is stopped, you go back to menstruating and everything goes back to normal. It used to be believed that pregnancy "cured" endo, but that isn't necessarily believed anymore. The only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis is through laparoscopy. It is an outpatient surgical process. You are put to sleep and 2 or 3 small incisions are made. You are a little sore for about a week, but it's not too bad.

They treat it by giving you birth control pills...
The testing is extremely INVASIVE so I suggest you try the pills first and see if they help...

good luck