Endometriosis laparoscopic diagnosis is one of the first steps to recovery
Endometriosis isn’t an easy condition to identify, but our Austin fertility surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating it. The process begins with a series of tests, including endometriosis laparoscopic diagnosis.
Many women find that it takes an average of 10 years from the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis. But our Austin fertility surgeons use their experience to expedite the process so that you can overcome the troublesome symptoms of endometriosis and conceive faster.
The struggle to diagnose endometriosis
Many of the symptoms of endometriosis mirror symptoms associated with other conditions. For this reason, endometriosis can easily be mistaken for pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome or ovarian cysts.
Endometriosis is also difficult to diagnose because its symptoms often vary from woman to woman. In fact, some women with mild endometriosis experience excruciating pain, while those with advanced endometriosis can have little to no pain at all.
However, this condition is no match for our Austin fertility surgeons. They are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, and have written many scientific papers on it. They even wrote the chapter on Endometriosis in the Textbook of Gynecology.
A closer look at endometriosis laparoscopic diagnosis
To help make a diagnosis, our Austin fertility surgeons will take your medical history and perform tests, including a pelvic exam and a transvaginal ultrasound. These are helpful diagnostic tools, but endometriosis laparoscopic diagnosis is the only way to confirm the presence of the condition. Fortunately, your physician can also treat your endometriosis during the procedure.
While you are under general anesthesia, your surgeon will make a small incision in your naval and insert a laparoscope (a thin, lighted instrument) to see your pelvic organs. Through one or two more small incisions, your physician can insert additional surgical instruments to treat your endometriosis and remove scar tissue.
Endometriosis laparoscopic diagnosis is the gold standard in diagnosing endometriosis.
It can also provide vital information about its severity. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has developed a system that assigns points to endometriosis lesions and scar tissue to determine the severity of the condition.
- I minimal (1-5 points)
- II mild (6-15 points)
- III moderate (16-40 points)
- IV severe (>40 points)
Armed with experience and knowledge, our Austin fertility surgeons can perform endometriosis laparoscopic diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan for you.
Contact us to schedule an appointment and learn more about endometriosis treatment. Our surgeons can treat minimal to severe endometriosis.