What is endometriosis and how does you doctor diagnose you if you have it?

Hi Vonda
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 (before surgery) 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 make a big difference and there's heaps of information on the web or books if you want to find out more.

Try www.yourendometriosisonline.com - good luck!

Endo is when the lining of the uterus starts growing outside of the uterus on other organs. It responds to your hormones so when you have your period, the endo growing outside of the uterus will also be bleeding causing pain.

Some typical "symptoms" of endo include:
-painful sex
-very painful periods (in which nothing seems to help)
-fatigue
-nausea/vomitting while on period
-hot flashes/cold flashes while on period
-ibs-like symptoms (diaheria, constipation at certain times of the month)
-trouble getting pregnant (is a huge reason for infertility)

You cannot get an MRI or ultrasound to diagnose it - the reason is because it can be hidden away and these types of technology cannot detect the endo growths. The only way to be 100% diagnosed with endo is through laparoscopic surgery. Most doctors who suspect endo will begin by putting the patient on birth control pills - however - most people with endo will notice that the pain will subside for a little while and then slowly start coming back. The other options are painkillers.

I must also state that endo is not cancer and should not be confused for being cancer.

Endometriosis is a condition that affects 5-10% of women in the UK. Basically all it is is you have endometrial tissue(lining of the womb outside the uterus cavity and this can cause problems See wickipedia for more details The second link is to a site where women tell their story about how endometriosis affects them. I hope this helps
c
Retired nurse

endometriosis is a condition wemon get where the tissue that lines the uterus grows on the outside of the uterus and onto other organ in the abdominal section
endometriosis is sometimes cancerous and sometimes its not
symptoms-
-pain in ur abdomen, rectum, vagina, or all 3
-abdominal bleeding ( ie. heavy periods, spotting between periods, blood in urine or stool, bleeding after sexual intercorse)
-troble getting pregnant

most ppl dont get it diagnosed till they go to the doctor bc they cant get pregnant, it will show up as masses on a MRI and they can do an explortary surgery to get samples and test for cancer