Endometriosis symptoms can be deceiving. Many women experience a wide range in severity of symptoms that do not correlate to the advancement of the disease. Endometriosis is a progressive disease that can get worse over time. The symptoms you experience may be mild when the endometriosis is actually in advanced stages. On the other hand, symptoms may be severe and the endometriosis can be minimal. You can not use the severity of the symptoms to determine how advanced the disease is.

Endometriosis occurs when tissues resembling the lining of your uterus shed into your abdomen. Endometriosis implants and tissues respond to the hormonal changes that your uterine lining does. Therefore, when your uterine lining builds, the endometriosis grows. When you shed your uterine lining during menstruation, the endometrial cells also shed. This can cause painful blood pooling inside of the abdominal cavity.

Most experts agree that endometriosis occurs when uterine lining is shed and travels up and out of the fallopian tubes instead of the vagina. The uterine tissues spread through the abdomen and attach themselves to surrounding organs. The external wall of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are most commonly affected. Endometrial implants can also attach and grow in the abdominal cavity, on the bowels, kidneys, lungs and other surrounding organs. The symptoms can range from undetectable to extreme. It can be very dangerous when endometrial cells interfere with the function of the affected organs.

Hormonal therapies are common for controlling the growth of endometrial cells. Birth control pills can keep these kinds of tissues from growing. If endometriosis has invaded other organs or is causing organ dysfunction, then laparoscopic surgery may be necessary to remove as much of the endometriosis as possible. If you are trying to conceive, then endometriosis can interfere. In this case, hormonal therapy may not be an option and a laparoscopic procedure may be necessary.

The only way for endometriosis to be definitively diagnosed is through an exploratory laparoscopic procedure. This is a minimally invasive procedure where your doctor will inflate your abdomen and insert a laparoscope through a small incision in your abdomen. This laparoscope will allow the doctor to inspect your abdominal cavity and reproductive organs. Your doctor may also take biopsies of suspicious tissues, remove endometrial implants and cut loose prominent adhesions during this procedure.

If you suspect that you may have endometriosis, remember that it is a progressive disease and it can only get worse over time. Do not delay treatment and see your OB/GYN as soon as possible.