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.
