How is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

When hearing the word endometriosis, most people only know that it is a gynecological disease, but how does it come about and is it serious? Is it fatal? Does every woman have it? What kind of symptoms will appear if you get this disease? How do our female friends diagnose endometriosis? Next, I will introduce you to endometriosis in detail.

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease in women caused by the implantation of endometrial cells in abnormal locations. Endometrial cells should grow in the uterine cavity, but because the uterine cavity is connected to the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tube, endometrial cells can enter the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tube and grow ectopically. There are many theories about the pathogenesis of this disease, among which the endometrial implantation theory is widely accepted. In addition, the occurrence of endometriosis is also related to the body's immune function, genetic factors, and environmental factors.

Clinical manifestations include

1. Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is the most typical symptom of endometriosis. It can occur before, during, or after your period. In severe stages, the pain is unbearable and increasing the dosage of analgesics may not even be effective. The pain is caused by internal bleeding from endometriosis stimulating local tissue inflammatory response. Endometriosis lesions secrete more prostaglandins, which causes uterine muscle contractions and makes dysmenorrhea more pronounced. After menstruation, bleeding stops and pain is relieved.

2. Abnormal menstruation

It may present as heavy menstruation or irregular menstrual cycles. Most of the menstrual abnormalities are related to the impact of endometriosis on ovarian function. Patients with endometriosis may experience ovarian dysfunction, such as abnormal ovulation.

3. Infertility

Infertility is common in women with endometriosis. Cause: Endometriosis can often cause adhesions around the fallopian tubes, affecting the pickup of oocytes; or ovarian lesions can affect ovulation.

4. Pain during sexual intercourse

Endometriosis in the rectouterine fossa and vaginal rectal septum may cause dyspareunia (deep tenderness) and frequent, painful bowel movements (tenesmus) during menstruation.

5. Others

Bladder irritation symptoms: When endometriosis spreads to the bladder, there will be periodic frequent urination, painful urination, and hematuria. Endometriosis in abdominal wall scars and umbilicus causes periodic local lumps and pain.

diagnosis

According to the characteristics of this disease, women of childbearing age who have progressively worsening dysmenorrhea or a history of infertility, and who may have an inactive mass or painful nodules in the pelvis during gynecological examination, can generally be preliminarily diagnosed with pelvic endometriosis. Patients with more complicated conditions can be further diagnosed with the help of the above-mentioned laboratory tests and special examination methods.

1. Differentiation from adnexitis: Endometriosis located in the ovary is often misdiagnosed as adnexitis. Both present with a tender mass in the pelvis. Endometriosis does not involve acute infection, and detailed inquiries about the severity of dysmenorrhea should be made to identify it. Generally in ovarian endometriosis, the fallopian tubes are patent. A hydrotubation test can be used to rule out tubal inflammation.

2. Differentiation from uterine fibroids: The symptoms of uterine fibroids are similar to those of endometriosis. Endometriosis dysmenorrhea is more severe and is mostly secondary dysmenorrhea. Uterine distension, if accompanied by ectopic endometrium in other parts of the body, can help with the diagnosis. When adenomyosis and uterine fibroids coexist, preoperative differentiation is difficult and surgical removal of the uterus for pathological examination is required.

3. Differentiation from ovarian malignant tumors: Ovarian malignant tumors do not necessarily cause abdominal pain, which is continuous, unlike the cyclical abdominal pain of endometriosis. During examination, the surface of the ovarian malignant tumor was uneven and the size was large. Endometriosis with signs of endometriosis at other sites. For older patients, laparotomy should be performed.

Having said so much, I believe that everyone has a better understanding of endometriosis. For female friends who are not very clear about this disease, after reading this, you can confirm whether you have the disease and make timely treatment and prevention.