Surgery costs are covered in public hospitals, but long wait times mean women who can afford it are more likely to use private hospitals for endometriosis surgery than for other diseases. Non-invasive imaging by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging MRI can often detect lesions on the ovary endometrioma , and deep lesions that invade the bowel or bladder.
But while this indicates endometriosis, lesions analysed by a pathologist are still considered the gold standard for a formal diagnosis. Read more: 1 in 10 women with endometriosis report using cannabis to ease their pain. A prior lack of endometriosis research funding in Australia has hampered progress towards developing non-invasive screening tests. But newly developed tests may incorporate emerging evidence that endometriosis has several distinct subtypes , each with a specific diagnostic and treatment profile.
Recognition of distinct subtypes has improved and informed the treatment of breast cancer , and this might also be true for endometriosis. Normalisation of period pain means women often wait two to three years from the onset of symptoms before seeking medical help. And public awareness of endometriosis and its symptoms are low. Even if a woman does present to her GP with symptoms, a lack of education in GPs and general gynaecologists can result in late referral and misdiagnosis.
This can add more than two years to a diagnosis journey. Read more: Sex and women's diseases: it's common and important to include men's perspectives. In the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis gender, race and socioeconomic biases come into play. If a man reported to his general practitioner GP with severe pelvic pain, he would likely be sent for tests immediately.
But in cases of endometriosis, pelvic pain can be confused with menstrual cramps, resulting in delays for further tests. Getting diagnosed with endometriosis may take some time. The symptoms of endometriosis are very similar to other common conditions.
It's important to share as much information with your doctor as possible. The only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy - an operation in which a camera a laparoscope is inserted into the pelvis via a small cut near the navel.
The surgeon uses the camera to see the pelvic organs and look for any signs of endometriosis. If endometriosis is diagnosed, the endometriosis may be treated or removed for further examination during the laparoscopy. HCPs surveyed said they are more likely to consider endometriosis as a possible cause of chronic pelvic pain than as a possible cause of first-time acute pelvic pain.
Women with endometriosis can suffer for 6 to 10 years before proper diagnosis. Among approximately women respondents who identified themselves as diagnosed with endometriosis, pain during or before periods was the most common symptom to lead them to see their HCP.
Some women may write off their symptoms as "normal" themselves, not realizing there is reason to alert an HCP. They may be embarrassed to bring up their symptoms or may not communicate them clearly to their HCP for fear they'll appear to be complaining or blowing things out of proportion.
These factors, coupled with the fact that there are no easy tests like blood or urine samples to confirm endometriosis, can make it difficult to get a diagnosis.
The starting point is talking to your HCP about any symptoms you may be experiencing. Before your appointment, arm yourself with knowledge. Gather your medical records and write down your symptoms. Websites such as MeinEndo. Finally, don't downplay your symptoms or be afraid to ask questions. It can also be helpful to find an HCP who has experience treating endometriosis.
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