Endometriosis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptomatic cases have obvious symptoms, such as chronic pain, heavy menses, and bowel issues. Asymptomatic or silent endometriosis doesn’t have clear symptoms and often requires a targeted diagnosis. Here are a few ways to know if you have endometriosis:
Endometriosis Symptoms
You may suspect you have endometriosis if you experience the usual signs of the condition. Although many women experience silent endometriosis, where they don’t endure pain or other obvious symptoms, some cases cause severe discomfort. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial cells, which usually grow inside the uterine lining or endometrium, grow elsewhere. These abnormal growths occur inside your fallopian tubes or around your ovaries.
Normal endometrial cells inside the uterus grow during ovulation and are shed as part of your menses. Abnormal growths can get trapped with nowhere to drain, resulting in pain, discomfort, and complications. Symptomatic endometriosis causes painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, and discomfort during or after sex. You may also experience painful bowel movements and urination or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
If you experience such symptoms, seek professional diagnosis to confirm or rule out endometriosis. Doctors usually perform conventional checks for urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, and conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). They also recommend Pap smears and cancer screening. If these tests don’t yield positive results, seek tests like BCL6 to check for markers of endometriosis and inflamed uterine lining.
Positive Diagnosis
Another way to know if you have endometriosis is after a positive diagnosis of the condition. While this is the most effective way to confirm the issue, fertility doctors seldom check for out-of-place endometrial cells. If you visit a fertility clinic, the doctor checks your overall health, medical history, and reproductive health. Your doctor may recommend testing for endometriosis if you have specific symptoms associated with the condition. Tests may also involve checking the levels of BCL6 protein.
If the levels are elevated, it signals that your uterine lining is inflamed due to possible endometriosis. Further diagnosis, such as laparoscopic biopsies, can be scheduled to confirm the condition. The biopsy takes a piece of the abnormal growth and evaluates whether it resembles normal endometrial growth. Doctors use imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds. They also use a tiny camera that reveals the internal reproductive organs and shows possible abnormal endometrial cell growth.
When diagnostic evaluations are conclusive, your doctor confirms that you have endometriosis. Fertility doctors can also conduct a comprehensive diagnosis that involves symptomatic assessments, physical examinations, imaging, and laparoscopy. If the diagnosis reveals abnormal endometrial growths, you should proactively monitor the condition.
Unexplained Infertility
Not all cases of endometriosis have obvious symptoms, such as pain or heavy menses. Some women may have these abnormal growths without knowing it, as the condition is often silent, meaning it doesn’t exhibit any obvious symptoms. Women may remain unaware of the condition for many years, until it impacts their reproductive health. Some women only find out about endometriosis after they’re unable to conceive naturally without an apparent cause.
Usually, if you are unable to conceive naturally, doctors will examine the ovaries, sperm cells, and embryos. They also assess your reproductive health and treat infections and underlying conditions like PCOS. Sometimes, conventional tests don’t reveal any reason why you can’t conceive naturally. Your ovarian reserves may be adequate, and the eggs and sperm could also be healthy, but you still don’t get pregnant. In such cases, a BCL6 test can help determine if endometriosis is the reason behind the infertility.
Abnormal endometrial growths inside the fallopian tube block the pathway for eggs and sperm to meet, preventing fertilization. Endometriosis also causes inflammation of the uterine lining, which can compromise implantation. Poor endometrial conditions increase the chances of IVF failure and early miscarriages. If you experience such losses and challenges without a clear explanation, seek a comprehensive diagnosis for endometriosis.
Diagnose Silent Endometriosis Today
The suitable way to know if you have abnormal endometrial growths is through a comprehensive evaluation. A BCL6 test is a good starting point, as it identifies markers of uterine lining inflammation and potential endometriosis. The test works whether your condition is silent or symptomatic. Get tested today to find out more about silent endometriosis and your next course of action after diagnosis.
