Home > Gynaecology > Conditions > Endometriosis
We specialise in the timely diagnosis, management and treatment of endometriosis and related conditions such as adenomyosis and ovarian cysts. Our expert doctors will create a personalised care plan for you to help relieve your endometriosis symptoms and minimise the effects on your everyday life.
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:
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:
In more severe endometriosis you might also have:
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.
You won’t have to wait long for a diagnosis and we will be able to advise a treatment and management plan designed around your needs.
We provide a full range of treatment options for the treatment of endometriosis. Many of these are carried out in our well-equipped treatment rooms and state-of-the-art theatres. Our doctors will discuss each of these options with you and our experienced care teams will be on hand to provide support and after care.
Scans and diagnostic procedures for Endometriosis include:
To ease and relive symptoms.
To remedy hormonal abnormalities.
State-of-the-art laparoscopic surgery.
Removal of growths to relieve symptoms and improve fertility.
To repair and improve fertility.
Usually in women beyond child-bearing age.
Our expert fertility doctors have a wealth of experience in treating women with endometriosis who want to become pregnant now, or in the future. We offer a range of specialist fertility procedures, together with timely diagnosis and management of endometriosis and adenomyosis, in a sensitive and supportive environment.
The medical team at The Evewell is led by Mr Colin Davis who graduated in 1990 and was appointed a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Honorary Senior Lecturer for Gynaecology at St Bartholomew's and the Royal London Hospitals in 2001. A pioneer in the field of laparoscopic surgery he founded The Evewell - a centre dedicated to providing first class fertility treatment and gynaecological care for women of all ages.