How do I know if I have endometriosis?

Tests to check for physical clues of endometriosis include:
  1. Pelvic exam. During a pelvic exam, your doctor manually feels (palpates) areas in your pelvis for abnormalities, such as cysts on your reproductive organs or scars behind your uterus. …
  2. Ultrasound. …
  3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). …
  4. Laparoscopy.

What does early endometriosis feel like?

It might start before your period and last several days. It can feel sharp and stabbing, and medication usually won’t help. Some women say it feels like their insides are being pulled down. They have a gnawing or throbbing feeling that can be severe.

Can you self diagnose endometriosis?

Diagnosing endometriosis can be difficult, especially when you have few if any symptoms. You cannot safely self-diagnose it; the symptoms make the condition easy to mistake for other types of health disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or ovarian cysts.

What is the main cause of endometriosis?

Retrograde menstrual flow is the most likely cause of endometriosis. Some of the tissue shed during the period flows through the fallopian tube into other areas of the body, such as the pelvis. Genetic factors. Because endometriosis runs in families, it may be inherited in the genes.