Can I still have Endometriosis if my ultrasounds, blood tests and MRI's are clear?

Are all of your tests coming up normal yet your symptoms are all aligning to Endometriosis? YOU ARE NOT CRAZY! 

Endometriosis is a complex and often misunderstood condition that causes chronic pain, inflammation, painful intercourse and sometimes infertility. Diagnosing Endometriosis can be challenging because it rarely shows up on common imaging tests or through blood tests.

Here's why:

1. Nature of Endometriosis lesions:

• Small size and subtle appearance: Endometriosis lesions can be very small and subtle, making them difficult to detect on imaging tests. They can appear as tiny spots, nodules or cysts that may not be distinguishable from surrounding tissues.
• Varied presentation: Lesions can vary widely in appearance, being red, black, white or clear. This variability can make it hard for imaging technologies to consistently identify them. 

2. Location of lesions:

• Hidden areas: Endometriosis loves to hide and can grow in locations that are difficult to image, such as behind organs or deep within the pelvic cavity. These areas may not be adequately visualised with standard imaging techniques (even an MRI).
• Multiple sites: Lesions can spread to every major organ of the body but it is usually most found around the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder and bowel, which can make it very hard to detect.

3. Limitations of imaging tests:

• Ultrasound: While useful for identifying ovarian cysts associated with Endometriosis, ultrasounds often cannot detect smaller or superficial lesions on other organs.
• MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can provide more detailed images but may still miss small or atypically located lesions. MRI is better suited for identifying large cysts and deep infiltrating Endometriosis but is not always definitive.
• Blood tests: There are no specific blood tests for Endometriosis. Biomarkers are being researched, but currently, blood tests cannot reliably diagnose the condition.

4. Histological confirmation:

• Definitive diagnosis: The only definitive way to diagnose Endometriosis is through laparoscopy, a invasive surgical operation. During this procedure, a camera is inserted into the pelvic cavity, allowing direct visualisation and biopsy of the lesions. Histological examination of biopsied tissue confirms the diagnosis. At this time your Endometriosis excision Specialist will remove the lesions.

The elusive nature of Endometriosis and the limitations of current imaging and blood test technologies make it difficult to diagnose this condition non-invasively.

The variability in lesion size, appearance and location further complicates detection. As a result, many people experience delays of up to 10 years in diagnosis and treatment. If you suspect you have Endometriosis, it’s important to discuss your symptoms in detail with a healthcare provider who is experienced in diagnosing and treating this condition.

PLEASE NOTE: The Endo Essentials company takes no responsibility for your diagnosis, tailoring your treatment/plan, we do not claim to be doctors and strongly recommend seeking medical advice from a Health Physician to treat your symptoms. We write these blogs purely based on the evidence provided at the current time and try our best to keep these blogs as up to date as possible.