How is endometriosis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of endometriosis is usually made through medical history analysis, imaging examinations, and laparoscopic surgery when necessary. Doctors make a comprehensive judgment based on symptoms and examination results. Specific examination methods include gynecological ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and laparoscopy.

1 Medical history and symptom assessment

The doctor will first ask the patient about his or her medical history and assess symptoms, such as whether there are dysmenorrhea, pain during sex, infertility, etc. These symptoms may indicate the presence of endometriosis, but symptoms alone cannot make a clear diagnosis, so further imaging examinations are needed.

2Gynecological Ultrasound Examination

Ultrasound is an important means of preliminary screening for endometriosis. Vaginal ultrasound can observe whether there are chocolate cysts in the ovaries, and check whether there are other abnormalities in the uterus, adnexa and pelvic cavity. Although its diagnostic ability for deep endometriosis lesions is limited, as a basic examination, ultrasound is simple and convenient.

3 Magnetic resonance imaging MRI

For complex cases or when deep invasive endometriosis is suspected, the doctor may recommend an MRI. MRI can more clearly show the specific location and size of endometriosis, especially when surgical treatment is considered, and MRI is often used as an important auxiliary means of preoperative evaluation.

4Laparoscopic diagnosis

Laparoscopy is the "gold standard" for diagnosing endometriosis. It can directly visualize the lesions in the pelvic cavity, thereby confirming the specific location and range of the lesions, and can also collect lesion tissue for pathological examination. Laparoscopy is not only used for diagnosis, but is also often used as a treatment method to surgically remove or destroy endometriosis lesions, relieve symptoms or improve fertility.

Patients with long-term dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or similar symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible and have a comprehensive examination and evaluation by a professional gynecologist to avoid worsening of symptoms.