Why Does Endometriosis Take So Long to Diagnose?

Endometriosis is, unfortunately, a common condition with painful symptoms and a sometimes life-altering side effect: infertility. Even more unfortunate is the fact that endometriosis is tricky to diagnose for several reasons.

Dr. Kevin Hooker and the caring team at Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care are experts at diagnosing endometriosis and offering advanced treatments for it, as well as many other conditions. 

We know that endometriosis’ symptoms are both physically and emotionally painful, and we approach each woman’s condition as unique. We’re here for you for the long-term and are eager to answer your questions and concerns about your condition. 

Endometriosis: The basics

Endometriosis develops when your uterine lining (endometrium) improperly grows outside of your uterus. Not only can this be quite painful, the endometrial growth can extend into your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and even affect areas outside your pelvic organs, though this is unusual. Endometriosis can also cause endometriomas, which are painful ovarian cysts. 

The problems develop when you have your menstrual period, and this displaced endometrium, unlike the lining that’s in your uterus, has no way to exit your body. The uncontrolled endometrial growth also causes inflammation and scar tissue to form in the places that are affected.

Many factors contribute to developing endometriosis, including various abnormalities of the uterus, a genetic predisposition for the condition, and conditions that affect your immune system. However, endometriosis can also be a surgical after-effect or be linked to retrograde menstruation, which is when your menstrual blood flow goes into your fallopian tubes. 

You may also develop endometriosis if your body produces large amounts of estrogen. 

Sexual intercourse and your period can exacerbate the pelvic pain that accompanies endometriosis, but you should absolutely see Dr. Hooker if you experience problems like diarrhea, problems getting pregnant, exhaustion, or nausea. 

Other concerning symptoms that require a visit to Dr. Hooker are very heavy periods, bleeding between periods, and abdominal discomfort or lower back pain during your period. 

A significant challenge with endometriosis is diagnosing it in the first place

If you’re one of the many women who suffer from endometriosis, the first priority is gaining awareness that you have it so you can get appropriate treatment and find relief from your symptoms. However, a special dilemma with endometriosis is that it’s difficult to diagnose, because:

• Sometimes endometriosis presents no symptoms at all
• Many of endometriosis’ symptoms mimic menstrual symptoms
• Depression can also accompany endometriosis, but is also very common on its own
• Women’s pain is often minimized within the medical community
• Endometriosis symptoms can evade certain imaging tests, such as ultrasound

Since endometriosis has been found in every organ and its symptoms are so disparate, it often stumps physicians.

Because of these diagnostic challenges, women who do receive a diagnosis may not get it, on average, until they’ve been suffering for between four and 11 years, and as many as 6 out of every 10 women with the condition may never be diagnosed. 

Getting relief for your endometriosis

Visiting us is your first step to getting an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for your endometriosis. Dr. Hooker thoroughly examines you, listens to your history of symptoms, asks about your own health history and your family’s, and answers your questions. 

Pain medication can help. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, Dr. Hooker may also recommend hormone therapy, which can relieve your pain as well.

In some cases, minimally invasive surgery is an option, where a surgeon removes endometrial lesions and scar tissue. 

Another surgical treatment is hysterectomy, or the removal of your uterus. This is a better option if you’re older or you’ve decided you don’t want any children or additional children. If you choose surgery, Dr. Hooker can refer you to the Lake Havasu Regional Medical Center. 

Infertility treatments, such as intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization can help you conceive. 

If you wonder whether you might have endometriosis, you’re in the best hands with expert OB/GYN Dr. Kevin Hooker. Call our office to schedule an appointment or reach out to us through our website.