Yeah, it's probably endo.
01
Does your doctor suspect you have endometriosis?
Suspected endometriosis refers to those who are suspected to have endometriosis by a medical practitioner, but have not had surgery to confirm this diagnosis. Most people with endometriosis do not have a surgical diagnosis.
02
I haven't had diagnostic surgery – can I still have endometriosis?
Clinical diagnosis is an increasingly common type of endometriosis diagnosis. It is an evaluation by a medical provider based on clinical findings – symptom history, response to medication, medical imaging, gynecological examination, etc.
03
How is suspected endometriosis treated?
People with suspected endometriosis are often prescribed hormonal medications, such as combination contraceptives or progesterone/progestin, which may relieve symptoms by stopping the hormone fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle.
04
Wait, what is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-based pain disease. It can affect people of any age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sex, sexuality, and size. Its most common symptoms are chronic pain, often in the pelvis, and problems with fertility. Endometriosis symptoms may worsen cyclically with the menstrual cycle, but not always. Someone could have endometriosis and not experience symptoms, or symptoms may get worse over time. Some people experience really bad symptoms even in the absence of a menstrual cycle.
05
Why can't I get a surgical diagnosis?
Many people with suspected endometriosis have this confirmed through surgery. However, getting a definitive (surgical) diagnosis can take many years, even decades. This is due to several reasons, including long wait lists to see surgeons with expertise in excising (removing) endometriosis lesions. Suspected endometriosis is an increasingly encouraged form of diagnosis, to avoid delays to starting hormonal treatment.
06
Is hormonal medication safe?
Both surgical and hormone treatments have risks. Hormonal medications treat endometriosis by suppressing the menstrual cycle, which helps minimize pain related to fluctuating estrogen levels and ovulation. However, the disease can continue to grow, and these medications can have dangerous and unpleasant side effects, including on mental health. They are also contraceptive, so this treatment isn't suitable for those trying to conceive.
07
Why aren't there better diagnosis & treatment options for endometriosis?
Endometriosis has been stigmatized as a feminized, gendered disability, which means it is not well-understood and underfunded in terms of medical research. This is slowly changing, but there are lots of problems with care for endometriosis, including the diagnostic process. Many clinical practitioners are not knowledgeable about endometriosis, and it is often incorrectly treated as a gynecological condition rather than a whole-body disease involving multiple systems and organs.