You may already have a diagnosis of endometriosis, or you may be concerned that symptoms such as painful periods are a sign that you have endometriosis. We will undertake a full review of your history, your symptoms and how these are affecting you.

We will also undertake tests and procedures to find out if you have endometriosis or adenomyosis, how severe it is and if you have any other related problems such as ovarian cysts. These may include:

• A pelvic examination and pelvic ultrasound – looking for other things such as ovarian cysts
• Blood tests
• Laparoscopy – which uses a small telescope to look inside your pelvic area
• MRI scan – sometimes used to detect ovarian cysts and signs of more severe endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common condition where the lining of your womb (endometrium) attaches to other surrounding organs such as your ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Adenomyosis is a similar condition, where the endometrium lining grows inside the muscles of your womb.

These patches of endometrium cause a range of endometriosis symptoms, particularly around the time of your period, including:

• Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea)
• Heavy periods (menorrhagia)
• Pain during intercourse
• Pelvic tenderness

In more severe endometriosis you might also have:

• Ovary pain during ovulation
• Chronic (long-term) pelvic pain
• Urinary and bowel symptoms

In endometriosis, the patches of endometrium can grow in different areas of your pelvis. It’s often in the ovaries (which causes ovarian cysts) and also in the fallopian tubes – both of these can cause infertility which is a major concern for many women with endometriosis.

Other areas affected included the area behind the womb and in front of rectum (pouch of Douglas), the naval and on scar tissue.

Left untreated endometriosis can lead to chronic pain, pelvic scarring and reduced quality of life. It can also block your fallopian tubes resulting in infertility.

Endometriosis affects as many as one in ten women of child-bearing age and can start in teenage years. It usually stops around menopause.

Unfortunately, it often takes many years to diagnose. However, the earlier it’s diagnosed and treated, the less likely there is to be pain and damage to your fallopian tubes and long-term fertility.

There are treatments available, and with good medical care, you can manage the symptoms so they do not affect your everyday life.

Endometriosis is usually diagnosed with a laparoscopy, which uses a small camera to look inside your pelvic area. Adenomyosis and severe endometriosis, including ovarian cysts may need to be diagnosed with an MRI scan.

Treatments depend on severity. Often endometriosis symptoms can be controlled without surgery, using hormone medicines, such as the contraceptive pill or an IUD (intra-uterine) device, together with anti-inflammatory pain relief. Your doctor may recommend removal of the endometrium patches, scar tissue and any ovarian cysts, usually using laparoscopy (telescopic surgery) and laser treatment.