How is Endometriosis diagnosed?

Imaging (Ultrasound, CT, MRI) is usually normal and does not show endometriosis.  This is the reason for a delay in diagnosis in many women.  Can you believe in the United States, there is a lag of 10-11 YEARS from symptom onset to diagnosis!! The diagnosis of endometriosis can only be made by laparoscopic excision of tissue with pathological confirmation. Laparoscopy is both diagnostic and therapeutic.  Dr. Kerin Orbuch will take an extensive history and perform a thorough physical exam before deciding whether surgical therapy is beneficial. Her physical exam combined with an extensive history can predict endometriosis at least 90% of the time. Surgery is day surgery, meaning on most occasions you go home on the same day as surgery.