Diagnosing Endometriosis, with Mr CP Lim, Consultant Gynaecologist

 

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.  We spoke to Mr C P Lim, Consultant Gynaecologist and Endometriosis Specialist, to get a quick overview of the condition.  

 

Laparoscopy is the only true reliable way to diagnose Endometriosis, but Mr Lim believes that taking a good story from the patient can be as accurate as having a laparoscopy in diagnosing endometriosis.  Painful and heavy periods can be accepted as ‘normal’ for many women to a certain extent, but when it is significantly affecting the quality of life, it is worth exploring if there are any other symptoms that may suggest endometriosis.

 

Symptoms

Painful Periods

Heavy Periods

Painful Sex

Pain on opening bowels during periods

Shooting pain in the back passage during periods

Pain on bladder filling or emptying during periods

Bloating

Feeling tired all the time

 

Many women who have endometriosis do not have troubling symptoms at all and unfortunately many of the symptoms above are thought ‘normal’. The most common problems are very heavy and painful periods. Sometimes the pain is so bad that it causes women to feel physically exhausted all the time. Sex can be very painful and this pain can sometimes carry on for hours or days afterwards.

If endometriosis happens at the bladder or bowel, women sometimes also report bloating and pain on opening bowels or passing urine around the time of having their periods. These women may look forward to actually having a period because there is a drastic relief after a period.

 

Scans to consider

Pelvic Ultrasound Scan, to see if endometriosis is in the ovaries.

MRI Pelvis, to tell if there is adenomyosis.

Kidney Ultrasound Scan, to check if the kidneys have been affected

 

Treatment options

  1. Do nothing
  2. Hormones
  3. Conservative laparoscopic surgery
  4. Hysterectomy

 

Recurrence after surgery

50% of women who have surgery for endometriosis will come back for more surgery within 5 years. It is less likely to reoccur after having had a hysterectomy, although not impossible.

 

Referrals

Mr Lim has weekly private clinics at One Hatfield Hospital. His NHS base is at Lister Hospital with East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust.  

 

Endometriosis Explained

 

Mr C P Lim

 

Call 01707 443 333 to book a consultation with Mr Lim at One Hatfield Hospital.