Endometriosis can elude diagnosis for years. What to know about the disease and new ways to find it
When Zoë Armstrong got an ultrasound report showing signs of endometriosis, she called her mom and cried. After years of suffering and seeking help from doctors, she finally had an answer.
Zoë Armstrong, a 31-year-old woman, experienced years of undiagnosed endometriosis before finally receiving a diagnosis at the age of 29. The condition, which affects 1 in 10 women worldwide, involves tissue similar to the lining of the uterus growing on other parts of the body, causing debilitating pain during periods, intercourse, and bowel movements.
Armstrong's symptoms included stabbing pains, severe cramping, nausea, heavy periods, acne, and rupturing ovarian cysts, which she first recognized as abnormal after a nurse verbally diagnosed her and after researching the term "endometrioma" online. New diagnostic tests are being used in other countries, such as EndoSure, which detects endometriosis through electrical signals in the gut, and Endotest, a saliva test analyzing microRNAs for endometriosis.
These tests, however, are not yet available in the U.S., and while they may help speed up diagnosis, they are not expected to be a complete solution. Experts suggest that patients keep a journal of their pain symptoms and seek medical advice if necessary. Once diagnosed, women can explore various treatment options, including pain relievers, hormone therapies, and surgical procedures.
Dr. Mark Noar, founder of Maryland-based EndoSure, stated that the test is intended to be a helpful tool for doctors in making endometriosis diagnoses, but it should not replace other diagnostic methods.
Written by urgent.news from CityNews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
