Category: All

Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial like grow outside the uterus. Endometriosis most commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. In rare cases, endometriosis may also involve other organs, such as the intestines, bladder, rectum, and lungs. Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women. Unfortunately, owing to the wide variety of symptoms, it takes Australian women seven years from the onset of their symptoms to get a diagnosis. So, what are the symptoms of endometriosis?

The Symptoms of Endometriosis

If you’ve kept track of your symptoms, you’ll know when you are most susceptible to them and how intense they are. This will help you give your doctor or specialist the bigger picture and help them assess your symptoms.

Endometriosis symptoms:

• Painful periods which inhibit your ability to continue your daily activities. Such pain will not respond to medication such as painkillers.
• Abnormal periods which may continue for longer than seven days, are heavy, or you have spotting between periods.
• Sex can be painful if you have endometriosis in the lining of your pelvis.
• Difficulty in falling pregnant can be a symptom of endometriosis.
• Bloating or endo belly which can be as visually noticeable as pregnancy.
• A less common symptom is fatigue despite a good routine. Fatigue can be caused by discomfort, stress, and chronic pain.
• Sharp or dull pain in the abdominal, lower back, and groin areas. The pain may be acute or dull.
• Painful bowel movements or urination may occur if the endometriosis has spread to these areas. 

How to Get an Accurate Diagnosis

Please ask your doctor to arrange a ‘deep endometriosis’ ultrasound scan done by the experts at OMNI Ultrasound.

How Doctors Treat Endometriosis

Treatments for endometriosis vary depending on the stage, type, area affected, symptoms as well as your fertility plans. Your doctor is likely to use less invasive methods, to begin with, such as hormone therapies. Hormonal oral combined contraceptives or progestin therapy (Visanne or Mirena IUD) may help manage the pain accompanying endometriosis. If this doesn’t yield results or do not want to use hormonal therapies, doctors will opt for surgery such as a laparoscopy to physically remove the endometriosis. 

Some people with endometriosis may not experience any symptoms at all. If you suspect you may have endometriosis, it is essential to speak with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. Doctors at specialist healthcare centres, such as Sydney Endometriosis, have intimate knowledge and extensive experience in diagnosing and treating endometriosis; these specialists are best equipped to offer a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Endometriosis is typically tricky to diagnose. Women often live with the symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. As with any condition, it all starts with monitoring symptoms and seeing a doctor if they persist. Some doctors brush off the symptoms due to medical gender bias, leaving women struggling as their symptoms often worsen. The typical methods of diagnosis range from physical examinations to more invasive forms. Nowadays, however, ultrasound technology has progressed, offering doctors a new method for diagnosis. So, what kind of ultrasound is done to check for endometriosis?

Traditional Endometriosis Diagnostic Methods

Before doctors started looking to ultrasound to diagnose endometriosis, just four methods were used. Doctors typically begin with the least invasive diagnostic methods, although this varies from patient to patient, depending on the severity of the case and the symptoms experienced by the woman.

How do doctors diagnose endometriosis?

• During a pelvic exam, the doctor will feel for abnormalities such as scars and cysts. This method is unlikely to uncover small areas of endometriosis.
• CT scans offer better imaging than x-rays which help detect abnormalities.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another non-invasive imaging method which harnesses magnetic fields and radio waves to create more detailed imagery of the tissues and organs.
• A laparoscopy is often seen as the last resort to detecting endometriosis as it involves surgery. The doctor will create a small incision near the navel where they will insert the laparoscope to view the tissue. This method is used to locate the endometriosis and assess its size and severity of it. The doctor may conduct a biopsy at the same time.

Ultrasound To Detect Endometriosis

A newer method known simply as an ‘endometriosis ultrasound’ is now being used as another non-invasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis. As with standard ultrasound technology, an ’endometriosis’ ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the pelvic area, organs, and surrounding tissue. This means your endometriosis sonologist/sonographer can visualise not only the uterus and ovaries but other structrues like the bowel and urinary tract to assess for signs of deep endometriosis. The doctor or sonographer will conduct the ultrasound using an internal (transvaginal) method; there is NO NEED FOR BOWEL PREP when our experts perform your ‘endometriosis ultrasound’. As a result, the doctor is able to plan potential surgeries and rule out endometriosis before initiating fertility treatment. When planning potential surgery, the ‘endometriosis ultrasound’ informs your treating gynaecologist (before the operation) if they will need the expertise of a colorectal and/or urologist for you surgery.

Do You Need an Endometriosis Ultrasound?

Usually, your doctor will refer you to a specialist who will decide whether you are a good candidate for an ‘endometriosis ultrasound’. During the consultation, you will have a physical examination, and the specialist doctor will base their decision on the symptoms you have been experiencing.

Endometriosis symptoms to look out for:

• Heavy periods
• Shorter cycles between periods
• Painful periods which do not respond to pain medication and anti-inflammatories
• Bleeding between periods
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Gastrointestinal disturbances such as constipation, bloating, nausea, and vomiting
• Painful sex
• Reduced fertility
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Painful bowel actions
• Painful urination

10% of women are affected by endometriosis, so there’s no reason to wait or ignore your symptoms. With a proper diagnosis and the help of a specialist doctor, you can live your life unhindered by the chronic symptoms of endometriosis.

As many as 10% of those assigned female at birth are affected by endometriosis. Still, despite the fact that it is so common, many go undiagnosed for up to seven years from the onset of their symptoms without a diagnosis. 

The condition may or may not progress during this time, but importantly individuals can continue to struggle with the symptoms. So, what happens if endometriosis is left untreated? Whether you have been diagnosed or not, it’s essential to watch any potential symptoms closely so that your gynaecologist can better assist you in treating and diagnosing endometriosis. 

How Endometriosis Affects Individuals

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial-like tissue forms outside the uterus. Owing to the nature of the tissue, it responds to hormones released by the ovaries. As a result, this may trigger bleeding and scarring as the tissue forms in the pelvic region. Endometriosis affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the lining between the pelvic organs. Those affected can experience painful and heavy periods, bleeding between periods, fatigue, bloating, sex can be painful, painful bowel actions, reduced fertility and other pelvic pain not related to the period.

Why Endometriosis Needs To Be Treated

Those affected by endometriosis may suffer to varying degrees, but in its worst forms, it hinders a woman’s quality of life. The chronic pain accompanying endometriosis affects more than one’s physical health; it also affects both mental and emotional well-being. 

In about half of the cases, endometriosis will progress with the deposits of endometrial-like tissue growing and/or forming additional deposits in the pelvic region. In some cases, the symptoms of endometriosis may settle with menopause. 

Left untreated, endometriosis may lead to complications such as:

• Debilitating pelvic pain
• Adhesions and ovarian cysts
• Infertility
• Pelvic infection (swollen, non-functional Fallopian tubes)
• Bladder or bowel problems
• Possible higher risk of ovarian cancer

How To Treat Endometriosis

Treatment of endometriosis begins with non-invasive diagnosis of this debilitating condition. The simplest, most cost-effective imaging modality for the diagnosis of endometriosis is transvaginal ‘deep endometriosis’ultrasound. Once the doctor has a diagnosis, they will suggest various treatment methods. 

Common treatments for endometriosis include:

Pain killers – some relief can be found through paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories

Hormone treatments – hormonal treatments can offer some pain relief and in some instances slow the growth of the endometriosis.

Laparoscopy – this keyhole surgery serves to remove the disease and restore the anatomy to normal in more severe cases.

Hysterectomy – when the symptoms are related to underlying adenomyosis (i.e. where the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus),removal of the uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes can be an option.

Bowel surgery – if the bowel wall is affected by endometriosis, a piece of the bowel may need to be removed and this will be done by your multi-disciplinary team of gynaecologists and colorectal surgeons. 

If you suspect you may have endometriosis, it’s best to get a proper diagnosis using ‘deep endometriosis’ ultrasound. This will assist your team in diagnosis and planning management according to the severity and the level of pain experienced. Through appropriate intervention, you can manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. 

Endometriosis is a complex condition, making it difficult to diagnose. While it affects many women, it often takes a long time to get a proper diagnosis. The symptoms vary from one woman to another, and many doctors either don’t know enough or brush off women’s symptoms as normal and nothing to worry about. For many women, the symptoms can be debilitating, which is why getting a diagnosis can be life changing. So, many women ask, ‘how do I know if I have endometriosis?’. Knowing more about endometriosis is the key to getting an accurate diagnosis.

What Are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

The first step in your journey to finding out if you have endometriosis is knowing the symptoms. There are many symptoms to look out for, which may lead to a misdiagnosis, and some women experience few to no symptoms. This is just one of the reasons women may go for up to seven years from the onset of their symptoms without a diagnosis. 

Typical symptoms of endometriosis might include: 

• Heavy periods
• Very painful periods
• Bleeding in between periods
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Back pain
• Painful sex
• Reduced fertility or infertility
• Intestinal issues
• Lethargy
• Bladder Issues

Getting a Diagnosis

While doctors are beginning to get a better grasp of endometriosis, it may still be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. Moreover, medical gender bias often gets in the way of diagnosis. The matter is widely documented, and it affects almost every aspect of women’s health, not least of all reproductive and sexual health issues. The result is that women may be brushed off by doctors and told that their symptoms are normal. 

Endometriosis is, in fact, widespread. Between 10% and 15% of women are affected by endometriosis. For this reason, if the treatment you are getting from your doctor is not aiding your symptoms, or your doctor doesn’t seem to be taking you seriously, it is imperative to get a second or even third opinion. The best solution is to visit a specialist clinic which is dedicated to women’s sexual and reproductive health. Such clinics tend to be more efficient in both diagnosis and treatment. 

How Doctors Know If You Have Endometriosis

Even though a specialist gynaecologist or obstetrician may have a ‘feeling’ that you have endometriosis, they will run tests to be sure. Running tests is the best way to accurately diagnose endometriosis and understand the extent of the condition. Endometriosis is the result of the formation of endometrial-like tissue outside of the lining of the uterus — this tissue results in adhesions and scarring between pelvic organs. To diagnose the condition, doctors look to several diagnostic methods and tools. The optimal non-invasive diagnostic procedures include a pelvic ultrasound and MRI. Usually, the last diagnostic method is through an invasive laparoscopy which is a surgical procedure.

Unfortunately, you are unlikely to know if you have endometriosis without proper consultation with a doctor, but that’s not to say you will have to wait seven years to find out. At Sydney Endometriosis, you can meet with specialists who will listen to you and accommodate you to find a diagnosis and work on a treatment plan. For advice or to book an appointment, contact us today. 

Endometriosis is a common condition. Between 10% and 15% of women are affected by endometriosis, and many go undiagnosed. Endometriosis does not only affect the reproductive organs; it can spread throughout the pelvic area and even elsewhere in the body. With proper diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, women can manage the symptoms and continue to live their lives without pain, discomfort, and other symptoms associated with endometriosis. 

What Are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

To get an accurate diagnosis and treatment for endometriosis, women need to be familiar with the symptoms. Endometriosis is when endometrial tissue, similar to the tissue which lines the uterus, grows outside the uterus. The tissue turns into endometrial lesions or scarring, potentially causing independent organs to adhere to one another resulting in the following symptoms.

Symptoms of Endometriosis:

• Painful and abnormal periods
• Painful sex
• Reduced fertility
• Bloating
• Painful urination and bowel movements

How is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

It is not uncommon for women to wait up to seven years for a diagnosis from the onset of their symptoms. Endometriosis is typically challenging to diagnose, but there are several ways for doctors to get an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will begin with the least invasive diagnostic methods.

Diagnostic methods:

Pelvic exam – this is when a doctor feels your pelvis for abnormalities. They may not be able to feel small areas of endometriosis, but they will be able to feel cysts or scars on your reproductive organs.

CT scan – is a non-invasive method which uses diagnostic imaging to detect abnormalities which won’t show up in an x-ray.

Ultrasound – one of the best options, the ultrasound will capture images using high-frequency sound waves. The ultrasound may be conducted trans-vaginally or externally to detect endometriosis. 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – this method uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of your organs and tissues.

Laparoscopy – is a surgical procedure conducted under general anaesthesia through a small incision near your navel. A laparoscope is inserted to view the tissue and find the location, size, and severity of the endometrial lesions. A tissue sample may be taken for a biopsy at the same time. 

How is Endometriosis Treated?

Once the doctor has an accurate diagnosis, along with an understanding of the extent of the endometrial tissue, they can begin with a treatment plan. There are many options available depending on your needs and the severity of the endometrial lesions 

Treatments for endometriosis:

Hormonal treatments – there are a wide variety of hormone-based therapies to choose from, such as hormonal contraceptives, aromatase inhibitors, and progestin therapy. These treatments can help manage the pain and halt the growth of the endometrial tissue.

Laparoscopy – when surgery is required to remove the endometrial cysts, the surgeon will remove them using the same method that they may have used to obtain a diagnosis. 

Hysterectomy or ovary removal – in severe cases where other treatment methods have failed, a hysterectomy or ovary removal may be necessary. This surgery is extensive; thus, it is not the first option. 

Endometriosis is complex to diagnose and treat; however, it is far from impossible. If you have symptoms of endometriosis or feel you are not getting the treatment you need, consider seeing a different doctor or going to a specialist clinic such as Sydney Endometriosis. Get in touch today to book an appointment.

Endometriosis affects ~ 10% of women, and sadly many women are undiagnosed despite its prevalence. Considering this statistic, it’s become apparent that there are many symptoms that go unnoticed or misdiagnosed. As a result, it also takes Australian women up to eight years from the onset of their symptoms to get an accurate diagnosis. There are a number of reasons for this; among them are medical gender bias and the social stigma around women’s reproductive and sexual health. Doctors are gaining a better understanding of the disease, so we now know some of the commonly overlooked symptoms of endometriosis. 

What Endometriosis Is and How It Affects Women’s Bodies

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue, which is similar to the tissue which lines the uterus, grows outside of the womb. When this tissue grows elsewhere in the pelvic area, it can cause scarring and adhesions. Organs are supposed to be independent of each other. However, these adhesions can cause them to stick together. As a result, women experience a range of symptoms that at first may appear normal or can be attributed to other factors and are thus overlooked. This is partly owing to the normalisation of pain by doctors and society.

The Many Symptoms of Endometriosis

With endometriosis affecting the entire pelvic region, there are so many symptoms that are overlooked. 

Common endometriosis symptoms:

Painful periods –when the pain doesn’t respond to medication and it impacts your ability to work and function as usual, it may be a symptom of endometriosis. 

Painful sex – occasional pain may be attributed to deep thrusting into your cervix or ovaries, but routine pain with sex may indicate endometriosis in the pelvis.

Abnormal periods – heavy periods which extend beyond seven days may be a symptom of endometriosis.

Reduced fertility – many women may have little to no symptoms, but reduced fertility is a potential symptom of endometriosis.

Overlooked endometriosis symptoms:

Fatigue – if you are tired despite getting a reasonable amount of sleep, it may be due to the chronic pain, stress, and discomfort to which you have become accustomed. 

Bloating – commonly referred to as ‘endo belly’, is the bloating caused by endometriosis which is more than a bump from a heavy meal. It can be so extreme as to cause a woman to appear pregnant and the skin to be stretched taught over the area.

Lower back, abdomen, and groin pain – you may experience sharp or dull pain; this is because the nerves in your deep pelvis overlap with those in your lower back, groin, and abdomen. The pain may even spread to the legs.

Painful bowel or urinary disorders – when endometriosis spreads throughout the lower abdomen, it can affects the bladder and even the bowel. This can result in painful urination and bowel movements. 

Sydney Endometriosis is staffed by a team of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals who meet the highest international standards in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. For assistance in dealing with your symptoms or gaining a diagnosis, contact Sydney Endometriosis today 02 8071 5345.