The diagnosis of endometriosis can take up to seven years to be confirmed, as gynecologist Fabiana Ruas warns doctor Roberto Kalil in Vital Signs. The delay in diagnosis is related to several factors, including the normalization of menstrual pain and the need for specific tests. “People get used to pain,” says Ruas.
Endometriosis occurs when cells from the endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus internally, develop in other regions of the body. “The endometrial cell is outside the uterine cavity, which is its usual location. It can be lodged in the ovaries, the tubes, the intestine, the bladder”, explains the specialist.
Symptoms and health impacts
The main symptom is pain, which initially appears during the menstrual period. As the disease progresses, the pain may become constant and no longer limited to the menstrual cycle. The expert emphasizes that feeling pain during menstruation is not normal, although many women get used to this discomfort.
“Endometriosis can also cause infertility,” says the doctor. The disease, according to her, can affect the structure of the pelvis, alter the configuration of the ovaries and compromise the permeability of the uterine tubes, making pregnancy difficult.
Late diagnosis is related to several factors, including lack of access to specialized health services and the need for specific exams, such as ultrasound with bowel preparation and MRI.
