Endometriosis often has vague symptoms that overlap with other conditions, and there are no non-invasive ways to definitively diagnose the condition.
Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside the uterus, often in places such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries or along the pelvis. The condition can cause cysts, heavy periods, severe cramps and even infertility, according to the Office on Women's Health , part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
So why is endometriosis so hard to diagnose? Here, we discuss a number of possible reasons why many endometriosis cases fall under the radar. "Laparoscopy requires the surgeon to be able to find and visualize the endometriosis which is not always possible for hidden or really deep lesions. Also, a woman can have severe symptoms with only a small amount of endometriosis actually seen during a laparoscopy," Hoffman said.
Furthermore, pain is not specific to endometriosis alone, Unsworth said. Symptoms can overlap with other common conditions. Another drawback of creating a working diagnosis is that patients with endometriosis will often have normal findings on a pelvic exam, in which doctors feel for large cysts or scars behind the uterus.
What causes endometriosis?Doctors still do not fully understand why endometriosis occurs. However, our understanding of this condition is changing, Unsworth told Live Science.
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