Endometriosis diagnosis
HELLO readers!! Now that we know what endometriosis is, the next question on your mind may be — how does one get a diagnosis? Many times before I received a formal diagnosis, I would see a doctor and they misdiagnosed me. Endometriosis is commonly misdiagnosed with conditions like kidney stones, appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome and even sexuallytransmitted diseases. This causes much trauma, confusion and frustration. Diagnosis time of endometriosis can take up to seven to 10 years. It should not take that long.
Here is how diagnosed:
1. Pelvic exam: During your consultation, your doctor can do a pelvic exam and examine the pelvis for abnormalities and tenderness. He can feel structures like cysts and/or scar tissue. However, it is not all doctors that can view endometriosis. They have to be wellexperienced or an expert with endometriosis. Remember if they cannot feel it, this doesn’t mean it is not there.
This type of viewing of uterus uses high frequency sound waves to get images of your inside your body, in this case it would be your uterus. To get these imagines a device will be pressed and moved against your abdomen or the device will be inserted in your vagina (transvaginal ultrasound), depending on what you are most comfortable with. Again remember that if they cannot view anything, it still does not mean nothing is there.
In other cases your doctor will suggest having a laparascopy which is a surgical way of viewing the uterus, and the one sure way to diagnose endometriosis. You will be put under general anaesthesia for this procedure. The surgeon will make two-three incisions, one near the navel and the others on the sides of your abdomen. The surgeon will then insert the laparascope (camera) to view the uterus, then insert other instruments through the other incisions to remove/excise (gold standard for treating endometriosis) the endometriosis. Some women have been known to have laparacopies and are told no disease was found, again sometimes the disease can be missed if the procedure is not performed by an endometriosis specialist.
4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): The MRI is an exam where magnets and radio waves are used to create images to create detailed and clear images of your pelvis and organs. An MRI is a good starting point for surgical planning.
So now we know how to get a diagnosis. I cannot emphasise this enough — try and consult with a specialist who is more experienced than a regular gynaecologists to avoid misdiagnosis and confusion.
Next week I will enlighten you on how endometriosis can be treated. Remember to spread light and love.
For any other questions you can contact me on +263778026402. I am here for you.