Diagnosis and Treatment

• Endometriosis is diagnosed during a pelvic exam, with a laparoscopy, a CT scan, ultrasound or MRI.
  After endometriosis is diagnosed the doctor will begin the treatment process. One of the first orders of business is to determine the patient's level of pain. There's no denying it---endometriosis can be excruciatingly painful. However, some women have very minimal or no pain at all. For these women, taking aspirin or other over-the-counter medications is perfect. Others, though need stronger--perhaps prescription--medications.
  
  

Cure for Endometriosis

• The only real cure for endometriosis is a total hysterectomy--with the removal of the ovaries--and menopause. However, if a woman with endometriosis undergoes a hysterectomy and takes estrogen therapy, the endometrium can grow back and endometriosis can recur. But it can be controlled.
  
  

Controlling Endometriosis

• Endometriosis can be controlled in a number of ways, both with medications and lifestyle changes. Birth control pills can reduce menstrual cramping and pelvic pain, and also slow the disease down.
  Progestins act like progesterone can also reduce pain and slow the disease down.
  GnRH Analogs or GnRH agonists make the estrogen levels lower to menopausal levels so menstruation doesn't happen.
  Another medication is Danazol. It's similar to male hormones and also highly effective for endometriosis pain. Lifestyle changes like exercise and diet can also be helpful.
  
  

Surgery

• Endometriosis Mayo Clinic
  
  Some women benefit significantly by having a laparoscopy for endometriosis. During this procedure, the doctor removes adhesions, endometriosis nodules and any ovarian cysts. If surgery and/or medications aren't effective, a hysterectomy may be an alternative. Sometimes pregnancy can be an effective alternative, too.
  
  

What Endometriosis Looks Like

• This is one of the less graphic pictures of endometriosis.