Endometriosis is a benign but debilitating condition for women all over the world. The condition causes the growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus and can cause severe pain, cramps, bloating, and excessive bleeding, in some cases. If your doctor suspects that you may have this condition, this is what they may need to do in order to find out.
Pelvic Exam
Endometriosis rarely develops in the vaginal canal, but your doctor may want to perform a standard women's pelvic exam to be sure. The pelvic exam will not only rule out any developments in the vagina, but it will also allow them to palpate the uterus and bowel, where complications from endometriosis can occur. If your pelvic cavity has a great deal of endometrial tissue in it, your doctor may be able to physically detect it during a pelvic exam.
Ultrasound
While the manual pelvic exam will give them an idea of what's going on, it can't compete with a full fledged pelvic screening. For this, your doctor will likely order an ultrasound.
By transmitting and detecting ultrasonic waves as they bounce off the inner structures of your body, your doctor will receive an image that will show what exactly is happening inside the pelvis and surrounding areas.
The type of pelvic ultrasound your doctor wants you to undergo may vary. A standard ultrasound, like the kind that pregnant women receive, may be enough. However, in some instances, an ultrasound pelvic wand may be used to get a better picture.
MRI
If the ultrasound is unclear or it reveals that there's enough going on internally that you may need surgery to remove it, an MRI may also be ordered. This gives an extremely clear image of the inside of your body, helping your doctor to determine exactly what you need and where the endometriosis is growing.
Pelvic exams are typically a fact of life for women, and with a condition like this, it's even more important to get checked out. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask your doctor about them.
Once your doctor has a clearer image of what's happening inside your body, they'll be able to proceed with treatment. For some women, controlling endometriosis is all that's necessary. In this case, birth control is often prescribed, as it can help to prevent endometriosis from spreading. However, if you are in a lot of pain and it looks as though you have a lot of endometrial tissue, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove it.
For more information about what to expect from a women's pelvic exam, talk to a doctor like those at Naples Ob-Gyn.
Share24 August 2020
Menopause took me by surprise. I thought only women in their 50s and 60s went through it, but I was in my late 30s when I entered this stage in my life. After talking to my OB/GYN, I discovered that my mother's early menopause played a major role in why I started so early. It was challenging to unexpectedly find myself dealing with the emotional and physical aspects of menopause. I soon discovered that I was not alone. There are many other women who started menopause at an early age and they were just as nervous as I was. I started this blog to give voice to those women and to provide emotional support.
