How do you know if you have endo?

I'm having Hyst for cin111 but wondering about this dreaded endo.
I had mri, ultrasound, exploratory lap myomectomy.
Would I know by now if I had this? I have horrible cramps and pain since 14 during my preiod.
A relative has endo and couldn't use hrt (after hyst) because of it.
Thanks

If there was endo there when you had your lap, the DR would have either seen it or it would have shown up on the pathology report. Isn't a myomectomy the removal of fibroids? Has your DR ever mentioned endo or that he suspected it?
Endo can't be seen with mri, ultrasound, sono... you need to have a lap. to actually see proof. If your DR isn't very experienced with endo, or if there are tiny particals of it that were "hidden", he may not have seen it.
Cramps and pain are symptoms of endo along with a bunch of others ~ not everyone experiences all of them though. But cramps and pain could also be from something else.
I would definitley ask your DR about it and see what s/he says. Also, do some research on endo and see if there are other symptoms that you haven't actually noticed before or blew off.
Good luck to you. Hugs.

Hi Cassidy,
I'm meant laporatomy myomectomy and yes they did remove fibroids.
Thats open abdominal procedure if you are unfamilliar. I'm so far due to have a vaginal hyst and pretty glad the recovery will be easier.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by HelenAli I'm having Hyst for cin111 but wondering about this dreaded endo. I had mri, ultrasound, exploratory lap myomectomy. Would I know by now if I had this? I have horrible cramps and pain since 14 during my preiod. A relative has endo and couldn't use hrt (after hyst) because of it. Thanks

Well, HelenAli- the BEST way to know if you have Endo or not is to have a laparoscopic surgery simply to search for endometrial implants throughout your abdominal/pelvic areas. Some endo is microscopic and VERY difficult to see and your doctor could have easily missed it. However, if your doctor that did your exploratory lap myomectomy is not very knowledgeable in the many appearances of endometriosis, even a good sized area of endo could have been missed.

The best suggestion I would have for you is to read up on it and if you have plenty of symptoms you can find a doctor who may know more about endo than the current doc you have. He/she may want to do a lap to see what's up.

Or if you are having a hyst anyway, then ask the surgeon doing this if he/she has any experience with the siting and removing of endo.

Remember, it's YOUR body. The doctor works for YOU. Ask questions and if the doctor doesn't meet your requirements then find a new one who does.

I guess cncwillborn already said most of this... sorry for the repeat! I just said it a little different

Good luck!

HI HelenAli

I have read that the only accurate way to diagnose endo is with a laproscopy. Here ia a link to the resources section on endometriosis that may be helpful.

Endometriosis...click here

I wanted to mention that I had my hysterectomy for endo and I do use HRT. My doctor had me wait for a period of 3 months before I was allowed estrogen, but I have been using hormones for several years.