Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Common Endometriosis Symptoms
• Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Risk Factors
• Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Diagnosing endometriosis
• Tips

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue from the uterus (called the endometrium) begins to grow outside the uterus, spreading to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other parts of the body. Some women with endometriosis do not notice any symptoms, but experience shows that there are whole combinations of symptoms that can fluctuate depending on the menstrual cycle and be quite painful. Endometriosis can not make the best changes in your personal life, so it is important to recognize the symptoms of this disease as soon as possible and seek medical attention.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Common Endometriosis Symptoms

1. 1 Pay attention to menstrual pain. Severe pain during the menstrual cycle is called dysmenorrhea. It is not abnormal to feel discomfort and mild cramps from time to time during menstruation, but if the cramps become painful, you should see your doctor or gynecologist.
   • Many women with endometriosis find that the seizures gradually become more painful.
2. 2 Take chronic menstrual pain seriously. Some women with endometriosis complain of lower back and abdominal pain throughout their cycle, not just during their period. If you notice this symptom in yourself, you should immediately consult a doctor. Even if the pain is not caused by endometriosis, it is best to find out the exact diagnosis and start treatment.
3. 3 Keep in mind that pain during intercourse can also be a sign of endometriosis. Remember that constant pain during intercourse is not normal! See your doctor to discuss this issue, as it could be a sign of endometriosis or another serious medical condition.
4. 4 Talk with your doctor about painful urination or painful bowel movements. These phenomena can also be symptoms of endometriosis, especially if they are most evident during menstruation.
5. 5 Keep track of the amount of discharge during your period. Women with endometriosis sometimes complain of "heavy" periods (called menorrhagia) or heavy bleeding between periods (called menometrorrhagia). If you notice unusual bleeding between periods, see your doctor or gynecologist.
   • Sometimes it is difficult to tell if your period is heavy or if it is within the normal range. Simply put, if you have to change a pad or tampon every hour for several hours, if the discharge does not stop for a week or longer, if the discharge is too heavy, see your doctor, because these symptoms indicate that you may have endometriosis develops. This can be accompanied by symptoms of anemia such as fatigue and shortness of breath.
6. 6 Keep in mind that gastrointestinal problems can also be symptoms of endometriosis. If you have diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, see your doctor because endometriosis may be the cause, especially during your period.
7. 7 Get tested to check if you have infertility. If you have had unprotected intercourse for a year and have not been able to get pregnant, talk to your doctor to make sure everything is okay. The doctor should check what is impeding fertility because endometriosis may be one of the causes.

Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Risk Factors

1. 1 Keep in mind that women who are childless are at high risk of developing endometriosis. Read the above symptoms carefully and take them seriously if you discover any of the risk factors. The first of these is childlessness.
2. 2 Pay attention to the length of your period. It is considered the norm for a duration of two to seven days. However, if your period lasts longer than a week, it may mean an increased risk of developing endometriosis.
3. 3 Track the length of your menstrual cycle. Normally, the menstrual cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days. If your menstrual cycle is 27 days or less, you may still be prone to endometriosis.
4. 4 Have an idea of ​​your ancestry. If you have someone with endometriosis in your family, you have an increased risk of developing this disease.
5. 5 Be aware of your illnesses. If you have had uterine abnormalities, pelvic infections, or any other medical condition that interferes with normal menstruation, you are at high risk of developing endometriosis.

Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Diagnosing endometriosis

1. 1 See your doctor. If you notice the manifestation of any symptom, you should immediately make an appointment with your therapist or gynecologist. Describe all your symptoms and associated risk factors to your doctor.
2. 2 Get a pelvic exam. The doctor should examine you and check for any abnormalities, such as cysts or scars.
3. 3 It might be worth getting an ultrasound scan. Ultrasound examinations use high frequency sound waves to create images of some of the processes in your body. Although ultrasound cannot diagnose endometriosis for sure, it can help detect the presence of a cyst or other problems associated with the condition.
   • Ultrasound can mark the processes occurring in the abdomen (while the sensor is guided over the abdomen) or transvaginal processes (that is, the sensor is inserted into the vagina). To get a complete picture of what's going on in your body, your doctor may prescribe both of these.
4. 4 Ask your doctor about laparoscopy. Your doctor may suggest a laparoscopy to confirm that you have endometriosis. This is a surgical procedure in which a laparoscope (a small medical instrument for examining internal organs) is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall. A biopsy can be done to examine samples of your tissue.
   • Laparoscopy is done under general anesthesia, so doctors are solely responsible for this type of surgery. Therefore, if your symptoms are mild, your doctor may suggest trying other treatments first before sending you for surgery.
5. 5 Discuss the diagnosis with your doctor. If your doctor thinks you have endometriosis, discuss how serious your situation is. Decide together which tests should be taken and which treatment should be started.

Tips

• There is no way to cure the disease itself, but there are ways to cure the symptoms. Talk to your doctor about pain relievers, hormone therapy, and surgical options.
• If you feel like the doctor is seriously confused about your symptoms, listen to his opinion because you may have misdiagnosed the disease. Endometriosis is difficult to diagnose and is sometimes mistaken for pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, or irritable bowel syndrome.