Millions of women across the US have endometriosis, but the condition remains widely misunderstood. In fact, many women feel brushed aside or dismissed when they express concern over period pain, heavy periods, and intense PMS symptoms. Eventually, they get accustomed to rearranging their lives around their monthly cycles.
But severe pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and periods that interfere with your daily life are not normal. One possible cause for these symptoms is endometriosis, a chronic condition with a nearly 50% misdiagnosis rate.
Below, we’ll look at endometriosis symptoms, treatment options, and how an in-office hysteroscopy can provide clarity.
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. These growths can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic lining, and other nearby structures.
Like the uterine lining, this tissue responds to hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle. However, because it has nowhere to exit the body, it can lead to inflammation, irritation, scar tissue, and chronic pelvic pain. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they don’t always reflect the extent of the disease. For example, some women with extensive endometriosis have minimal pain, while others with a small amount of endometriosis experience severe symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?
Every woman experiences endometriosis differently, but there are some common symptoms across individuals:
- Painful menstrual cramps
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Pain during or after intercourse
- Pain with bowel movements or urination while on your period
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- Fatigue, bloating, or digestive discomfort around your menstrual cycle
How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed?
Diagnosing endometriosis usually starts with a detailed conversation about your symptoms, followed by a pelvic exam and imaging studies such as a pelvic ultrasound.
Because endometriosis doesn’t always appear on imaging, your provider may recommend additional evaluation depending on your symptoms. In some cases, minimally invasive procedures are the best way to understand better what’s causing pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
What Is an In-Office Hysteroscopy?
An in-office hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure where your provider examines the inside of your uterus using a thin, lighted camera called a hysteroscope.
Though endometriosis usually develops outside the uterus, hysteroscopy can help identify other conditions that may contribute to abnormal bleeding, like uterine polyps, fibroids, or abnormalities within the uterine cavity.
This evaluation often means a quicker diagnosis without a hospital visit or general anesthesia. Capital Women’s Care also offers Endosee® Advance, an office-based hysteroscopy system that lets providers visualize the uterine cavity during your visit.
What Are the Treatment Options for Endometriosis?
Endometriosis treatment depends on your symptoms, age, future pregnancy goals, and the severity of your condition.
Your personalized treatment plan may include:
- Pain-relieving medications
- Hormonal therapies
- Lifestyle recommendations
- Minimally invasive surgical procedures
- Robotic-assisted surgery for more advanced cases
Your provider will work with you to determine the approach that best fits your individual needs.
When Should I See My Gynecologist?
You don’t have to live with period pain that disrupts your life. Whether the root cause is endometriosis or something else, your gynecologist can help identify it and guide you toward treatment options.
Schedule an appointment if you experience:
- Severe period pain that isn’t relieved with over-the-counter medication
- Pelvic pain between periods
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Pain during intercourse
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- Symptoms that interfere with work, school, or daily activities
Early evaluation can help identify the cause of your symptoms and allow treatment to begin sooner.
Get Relief from Chronic Pelvic Pain
At Capital Women’s Care, our experienced gynecology team provides compassionate, personalized care for women experiencing endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and other gynecologic conditions. Whether you need an in-office hysteroscopy, advanced diagnostic testing, or minimally invasive treatment, we’ll help you find answers and develop a care plan that’s right for you.
Request an appointment today to learn more!
Endometriosis FAQs
Endometriosis does not usually go away without treatment. However, symptoms can often be managed with medication, hormone therapy, or surgery, depending on your unique needs.
No, painful periods don’t always mean endometriosis. They can have several causes, including fibroids, adenomyosis, or other gynecologic conditions. That’s why an evaluation is important if your symptoms are severe or interfere with your daily life.
Some women don’t feel anything during an in-office hysteroscopy, while others feel sharp, period-like cramping. Your provider will explain what to expect beforehand and discuss options to help keep you as comfortable as possible.
An in-office hysteroscopy lets your provider examine the inside of the uterus to evaluate conditions like uterine polyps, fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, or other changes within the uterine cavity. It may also help guide treatment planning.
Not necessarily. Many women find relief with medication or hormone therapy. If surgery is recommended, minimally invasive techniques are often used to diagnose or treat endometriosis while preserving healthy tissue whenever possible.
