Endometriosis responds to monthly hormonal shifts, causing local inflammation and structural scarring. Diagnosing this condition often requires surgical laparoscopy, but modern medicine has expanded options for endometriosis testing. Here are some insights into the different types of endometriosis tests:
Physical Pelvic Exams
A pelvic examination gives healthcare providers physical clues about reproductive health, which may indicate possible endometriosis. Specialists check for abnormal tissue fixation, structural immobility, and tenderness within the pelvic cavity. When patients experience unexplained menstrual cramps or discomfort, a physical assessment helps clinicians locate internal irritation. Findings that reveal structural irregularities can justify advanced laboratory tests. A pelvic exam also helps rule out other gynecological conditions, and it establishes an initial diagnostic direction.
Pelvic Scans
Pelvic ultrasounds are a non-invasive imaging tool for evaluating suspected endometriosis. During this procedure, a medical professional uses a specialized device to send high-frequency sound waves through the body. The ultrasound creates clear visual images, so doctors can see the structure of the ovaries, uterus, and pelvic tissues. When a patient experiences severe pelvic pain, initial imaging helps identify abnormalities and guide further diagnostic evaluation.
An ultrasound detects advanced structural complications, such as ovarian endometriomas. These fluid-filled cysts appear on ultrasounds because they have a ground-glass appearance. Sonographers also press the transducer against tissues to see if internal organs slide freely against one another. Reduced ovarian mobility, or ovaries positioned close together, can indicate adhesions associated with endometriosis.
MRI scans serve as a secondary imaging tool for evaluating cases of suspected endometriosis. During the procedure, a machine uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of internal organs. It produces high-contrast images of soft tissues, so radiologists can view the pelvic cavity from multiple angles. When ultrasound results are inconclusive, an MRI scan provides information to guide the clinical team. An MRI can also detect and map deep infiltrating endometriosis. These lesions grow beneath the peritoneal surface and invade sensitive areas like the bowel, bladder, or rectovaginal septum.
Uterine Lining Biopsies
Endometriosis often causes physical symptoms, such as pelvic pain and heavy bleeding, but some patients experience silent endometriosis. This means the condition can go undetected until a woman experiences infertility. Lesions on the reproductive organs often affect ovulation and implantation, so the condition sometimes makes conception difficult. When navigating unexplained infertility, a protein marker test helps evaluate the likelihood of endometriosis without a surgical procedure. A biopsy, or uterine tissue sample, is evaluated for BCL6, which indicates inflammation and is highly associated with endometriosis.
During a uterine lining biopsy, a doctor gently passes a thin tube through the opening of the womb. They gather a tiny sample of its inner lining for testing. This endometriosis test takes a few minutes and requires no operating room or sleep inducement, so patients can return home the same day. A biopsy offers the following benefits:
- Measures cellular health markers
- Provides quick feedback
- Reveals asymptomatic inflammation
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery enables doctors to view the uterus and surrounding tissue, which confirms the presence of endometriosis lesions. The procedure is minimally invasive. A specialist inserts a tiny, lighted camera into the patient’s abdomen, and it sends a video feed to a screen. This allows the doctor to assess the pelvic organs in real time. They search the outer walls of the ovaries and nearby tissues to spot shallow color spots or deep nodules. Laparoscopy can also be used to remove surface-level growths.
Learn More About an Endometriosis Test
Endometriosis can be a painful condition and have long-term effects on a woman’s reproductive system. Specialized protein marker tests help indicate the presence of endometriosis without a surgical operation. This helps those facing unexplained infertility or failed IVF cycles pinpoint an underlying cause and develop a targeted treatment plan. Contact a testing provider today to learn more about your options.
