How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

If diagnosed or suspected, there are various treatment options for those who are suffering from endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition where the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus instead of inside. Symptoms include pelvic and abdominal pain, heavy periods, painful sex, fatigue and sometimes, infertility.

How is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

Endometriosis can be diagnosed by your doctor. The only definitive way a doctor can diagnose endometriosis is via the laparoscopy procedure. However, if you do not want surgery, there are other tests a gynaecologist may perform if they suspect the presence of this condition.

These may include:

• Ultrasounds
• MRI scans
• Full gynaecological examinations

None of these can definitively confirm endometriosis, though they can be suggestive of the disease.

Can Endometriosis be treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for endometriosis, fortunately there are several treatments that your doctor may recommend. Health care providers consider several factors when determining the best treatment for endometriosis symptoms.

These may include:

• Your age
• How severe your symptoms are
• How severe the disease is
• Whether you want children or not

Pain medications: Your doctor may prescribe pain medications to help ease any pain you are experiencing due to your condition. Some medication suggestions may be prescription, whereas others may be available over the counter.

Hormonal therapy: Endometriosis is exacerbated by oestrogen. Therefore, hormonal treatments for endometriosis are designed to attempt to temper oestrogen production and levels in a woman’s body. Hormonal therapy is used to suppress the menstrual period to prevent the monthly bleeding.

There are several types of medications that act by aching on the endometriotic lesions, these may include:

• The oral contraceptive pill
• Progestins/progesterone
• Implanon
• Mirena

If you have endometriosis, surgery might be a part of your treatment plan with Dr. Sharon Li. The main surgical option for endometriosis is laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy, also called keyhole surgery, is the most common surgery for diagnosing and treating endometriosis. During this procedure, a small incision is made in your abdomen. Through this incision, a thin tube with a light and camera, called a laparoscope, is inserted. This allows the surgeon to see the endometriosis tissue on a screen.

Once the endometriosis is found, other small incisions are made to insert instruments that remove the endometriosis. This minimally invasive surgery may help reduce pain and other symptoms of endometriosis.

If you are ready to discuss your options with Dr Sharon Li please contact our team today on (07) 3219 6868

 

-Dr Sharon Xian Li (MED0001402739)

Registered Medical Practitioner, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists