How Was Your Endometriosis Diagnosed?

I can tell you that they can't diagnose endometriosis by ultrasound. I've had an ultrasound, but now I have to have the surgery to see if I do have endometriosis. I think they do the ultrasound first to make sure it's not something in your uterus (cyst or something). It's a lot less invasive.

Good luck!

Mine was diagnosed via an internal ultrasound. I had large amounts of bleeding, not really bad cramps, was ALWAYS anemic.

There are several things that it could be: fiberoids, PCOS, injury during childbrith (back pain)

I had no idea my lower back pain during my period could be related to endometriosis, but it turns out that it is. I ended up going to a Reproductive Endocrinologist (sp?) because I've had problems trying for a second child and he said that I had it - not entirely sure how he diagnosed it though. He did have to go in and do an operative laproscopy (I've had two done now). You can't see it with an ultrasound, unfortunately. Since I'm still having problems conceiving b/c of the endo I'm now having to begin Lupron shots. Good luck with what they determine. I feel for you and hope things go well with whatever you decide to do.

endometriosis can be diagnosed only via laparoscopy, but your symptoms are or at least were like mine. started period at age 14 and hurt to the point i would miss school first two days. as i grew older and started taking motrin, i'd take two every 2 hrs, and only because i was lying down those two hours otherwise i would be needing to take them every hour. it was very bad. then couldn't get pregnant. doctor said sounds like endo, and we scheduled laparoscopy. turns out it was, and the pics he took showed how severe mine was and had spread all over.
i now take bc to control my period and i am free of that terrible pain. it's been 4 years since i have started taking bc and to this day when period time comes i get so frightened even though i know i won't have the pain, it's like i have been scarred and fear it will.

The best way to be sure is have the doc go in laproscopically, then they can see where it is spread. It takes little out of you to have this procedure done. I had my gallbladder out this way and was back at work two days later.

Mine was pinpoints on the back of my uterus, I had adhesions from my uterus to my abdominal wall, and more spots of it all the way up higher. I took a medication that gave my pelvic area a rest and it pretty much went away but the scar tissue is still there.

I had similar experience with painful cramps. Childbirth was a breeze in comparison, plus I got babies from that! One doc I had diagnosed me with an ultrasound, but my two subsequent OBs said that you can't diagnose it that way--only by laproscopy. But the good news is that it is treated during the surgery that diagnoses it. I was grateful to have the diagnosis and the surgery helped a little with the pain. My pregnancies also have helped a little (and breastfeeding afterward) as well as just giving me a break. Hang in there and hope you get an answer soon.

endometriosis is difficult to see or diagnose by ultrasound. It generally done by symptoms and or laparoscopy. Most women have significantly more pain and cramping with periods that sometimes will also cause nausea and diarrhea. There are meds that can make it better, but being on oral contaceptives that diminish or stop periods altogether works the best. The long term issues with endometriosis is infertility, pelvic adhesions, and pain.