Endo diagnosis query

[45Annee]

Is the only way to diagnose endometriosis through a laparoscopy or can they find it through an mri? I’m just between gynae appointments so have not yet asked the consultant so hoped someone on here may be able to help :).

Thanks.

[weekari]

Hi, I'm no expert but my experience is that I had a laporoscopy 2 years ago and was told I didn't have endo. I've had hip & back pain since then and had an MRI with the thought I had arthritis but was told that I have severe endometriosis throughout my pelvis. They haven't said that it could be - they've said it definitely is so I'm guessing that it can be diagnosed through mri if it's pretty obvious, which it seems to be in my case. I can only assume that it wasn't detectable 2 years ago when I had the lap and has grown like crazy since then.

From what I understood, a laporoscopy is the most definitive way to diagnose but that an mri can pick it up. But a clear mri wouldn't necessarily mean no endo as some of it could be undetectable. I think lesions can't be seen on a mri. I suspect what's happened with me (having a clear laporoscopy only to be found I do have it 2 years later) it's quite unusual.

I hope that helps.

[RicEndoUK]

Hi 45Annee,

As weekari says,the only way to diagnose endometriosis is through an operation called a laparoscopy. Scans, blood tests and internal examinations are not a conclusive way to diagnose endometriosis and a normal scan, blood test and internal examination does not mean that you do not have endometriosis. However, some people (including myself) have had it show up on an MRI, and then had it formally diagnosed following a laparoscopy.

Endometriosis UK have some interesting factsheets which you might find useful in understanding more before your next consultant appointment.

endometriosis-uk.org/sites/...

endometriosis-uk.org/sites/...

Hope this helps!

RicEndoUK

Volunteer Moderator

[45Annee]

Oh okay thank you both for the advice. The consultant did say a laparoscopy was the way to diagnose it so only gave that option but I thought I’d ask as I seen a lot of comments on mri scans showing endo. I am just quite anxious at the thought of surgery due to recovery, scarring, complications etc. (I have other health conditions that affect immunity)

[princessk09]

The only way to officially diagnose endo is through a lap. I’m currently waiting for mine and I’m not looking forward to it haha. Scans are unreliable sometimes as endo can be missed xx

[chanboss]

Hi 45Annee

I found out i had endometriosis by MRI Scan recently hun, tho i thought i had PID ( had pid over 20 years ago and pelvic pain comes n goes the same to me .Now its been confirmed all i wanna do is get it out of body, i thought i could have a Hysterectomy but it turns out endo can still attach it self to other parts ofg my body even if doc whips out everything( as in my ovaries,womb,tubes and cervix...

Does anybody have any solutions, other than waiting till i go through menopause ( i'm 48 in june) so i not long eh.