March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. We spoke to Mr C P Lim, Consultant Gynaecologist and Endometriosis Specialist, to get a quick overview of the condition.
Laparoscopy is the only true reliable way to diagnose Endometriosis, but Mr Lim believes that taking a good story from the patient can be as accurate as having a laparoscopy in diagnosing endometriosis. Painful and heavy periods can be accepted as ‘normal’ for many women to a certain extent, but when it is significantly affecting the quality of life, it is worth exploring if there are any other symptoms that may suggest endometriosis.
Symptoms
Painful Periods
Heavy Periods
Painful Sex
Pain on opening bowels during periods
Shooting pain in the back passage during periods
Pain on bladder filling or emptying during periods
Bloating
Feeling tired all the time
Many women who have endometriosis do not have troubling symptoms at all and unfortunately many of the symptoms above are thought ‘normal’. The most common problems are very heavy and painful periods. Sometimes the pain is so bad that it causes women to feel physically exhausted all the time. Sex can be very painful and this pain can sometimes carry on for hours or days afterwards.
If endometriosis happens at the bladder or bowel, women sometimes also report bloating and pain on opening bowels or passing urine around the time of having their periods. These women may look forward to actually having a period because there is a drastic relief after a period.
Scans to consider
Pelvic Ultrasound Scan, to see if endometriosis is in the ovaries.
MRI Pelvis, to tell if there is adenomyosis.
Kidney Ultrasound Scan, to check if the kidneys have been affected
Treatment options
- Do nothing
- Hormones
- Conservative laparoscopic surgery
- Hysterectomy
Recurrence after surgery
50% of women who have surgery for endometriosis will come back for more surgery within 5 years. It is less likely to reoccur after having had a hysterectomy, although not impossible.
Referrals
Mr Lim has weekly private clinics at One Hatfield Hospital. His NHS base is at Lister Hospital with East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust.
Endometriosis Explained
One Ashford
One Hatfield