Endometriosis – The Path to Diagnosis | MyEndometriosisTeam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Resources
About MyEndometriosisTeam
Powered By

Endometriosis – The Path to Diagnosis

Medically reviewed by Peter J. Chen, M.D.
Written by Kelly Crumrin
Posted on August 21, 2018

Endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose. On average, it takes 10 years to receive a correct endometriosis diagnosis. Women are sometimes misdiagnosed with another condition or told they simply have heavy periods. This misdiagnosis can lead to years of unnecessary suffering and ineffective treatments.

Misdiagnosis

Women may be misdiagnosed with a different condition prior to being correctly diagnosed with endometriosis. One challenge is that the symptoms of endometriosis are similar to those of other chronic conditions. Another issue is that endometriosis is generally diagnosed with surgery (typically laparoscopy), and doctors may be reluctant to put a patient through surgery. A further complication is that endometriosis symptoms are not constant and can vary from woman to woman.

Conditions frequently misdiagnosed in cases of endometriosis include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, and fibromyalgia. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal cramping may lead to a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Pain with urination or blood in urine without an infection may be found in women with endometriosis involving the bladder.

It is not uncommon to have one or more of these conditions in addition to endometriosis, which further complicates the diagnostic process.

How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually begins with a thorough medical history that includes discussion about what symptoms are experienced and how severe they are —as well as where, when, and how they are felt. The doctor may ask whether any female relatives have received diagnoses of endometriosis — or have described similar symptoms — since heredity seems to be a risk factor for developing endometriosis.

The doctor will perform a physical examination, including a pelvic exam. During the pelvic exam, the doctor inserts fingers into the vagina and checks whether gently moving the womb and applying pressure to certain areas is painful. They will feel for lumps that indicate cysts or scars on reproductive organs.

Endometriosis diagnosis can only be certain after the doctor performs a laparoscopy and biopsies any suspicious tissue. Laparoscopy is a minor surgical procedure in which a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera at the end, is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. Laparoscopy is also used to determine the location, extent, and size of endometrial growths.

Laparoscopy is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of endometriosis. The following noninvasive imaging procedures may also be used during the workup for pelvic pain:

  • Ultrasound — Imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan — Imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary X-ray
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan — Imaging procedure that produces a two-dimensional view of an internal organ or structure

What Is the Prognosis for Endometriosis?

There is no cure for endometriosis at the present time, although research continues. Some women experience endometriosis symptoms all their lives despite hysterectomy or even after menopause, while symptoms lessen or disappear for others later in life.

There are effective treatments to control pain and other symptoms caused by endometriosis. Read more about potential treatment options.

Condition Guide

Posted on August 21, 2018
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Become a Subscriber

Get the latest articles about endometriosis sent to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Peter J. Chen, M.D. is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about him here
Kelly Crumrin is a senior editor at MyHealthTeam and leads the creation of content that educates and empowers people with chronic illnesses. Learn more about her here

Recent Articles

Welcome to MyEndometriosisTeam — the place to connect with others living with endometriosis. Thi...

Getting Started on MyEndometriosisTeam (VIDEO)

Welcome to MyEndometriosisTeam — the place to connect with others living with endometriosis. Thi...
This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which can give you mor...

Self-Kindness When Struggling: 6-Minute Guided Meditation

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which can give you mor...
If you’re living with endometriosis, you may notice that your symptoms come on strong during flar...

Managing Endometriosis Flare-Ups

If you’re living with endometriosis, you may notice that your symptoms come on strong during flar...
Thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) is so rare that doctors have a hard time estimating how man...

Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome: What You Need To Know

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) is so rare that doctors have a hard time estimating how man...
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are typically caused by an infection in the urinary system, but p...

Can Endometriosis Cause a UTI?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are typically caused by an infection in the urinary system, but p...
Endometriosis is a condition that affects an estimated 1 in 10 women worldwide. Despite how commo...

Is Endometriosis Hereditary?

Endometriosis is a condition that affects an estimated 1 in 10 women worldwide. Despite how commo...
MyEndometriosisTeam My endometriosis Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close
MyEndometriosisTeam
Add to your home screen
MyEndometriosisTeam Tap below and then 'Add to Home Screen'