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Why do many women have to see seven doctors before they get a diagnosis of endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common but difficult-to-diagnose condition in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus. This condition causes many health problems for women but is often misdiagnosed or delayed. It’s worth exploring why patients with this disease have to visit an average of seven doctors before they get a correct diagnosis.
Similarities between complex symptoms and other diseasesThe symptoms of endometriosis vary, ranging from mild pelvic pain to severe abdominal pain and even infertility. About 25% of patients experience no obvious symptoms, while others may experience severe pain and distress. This diversity makes it more difficult for doctors to make a clear diagnosis.
"The clinical manifestations and diagnosis of endometriosis often overlap with the symptoms of several other diseases, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome."
Because many symptoms of endometriosis can overlap with more common medical conditions, patients often bounce between multiple doctors. For example, pelvic pain may be misdiagnosed as common menstrual cramps, resulting in the patient receiving unnecessary pain medication rather than treatment for the underlying problem. This situation is common among female patients.
Diagnostic Challenges
Current diagnosis relies on symptom assessment and medical imaging, but the most definitive diagnosis is still through laparoscopy with biopsy. Such a diagnosis requires definitive surgery, and for many patients, the waiting and painful process of scheduling an operation is extremely challenging.
"The average delay in diagnosing endometriosis is 6.7 years, which is a long wait that makes people feel desperate."
Insufficient staff resources and lack of medical awareness
Studies have pointed out that the diagnosis of endometriosis is limited by the knowledge level and resource allocation of medical staff in different cultures and medical environments. Many physicians still do not adequately understand endometriosis, and some may even underestimate the condition in their patients.
"In some cultural contexts, women's health issues are often seen as 'normal' and therefore women's concerns are often ignored."
This was particularly true across ethnic groups, with Southeast Asian and East Asian women being more likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis than white women, a difference that may be due to sociocultural and genetic factors.
Mental Health Impact
Endometriosis not only affects physical health, but also has a great impact on mental health. Some studies have shown that women with endometriosis may develop symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is due in part to the emotional distress caused by the ongoing pain, restrictions on social life, and the lengthy diagnostic process.
"The pain women experience from endometriosis often affects their quality of life and causes high levels of anxiety and depression."
Call for more attention to the understanding and research of endometriosis
Currently, research on endometriosis is still ongoing, especially the cause of the disease is not yet fully understood, which requires more scientific exploration. Many patients suffer from a cooling-down process before they receive a correct diagnosis, which greatly affects women's physical and mental health.
Overall, the hidden nature of endometriosis and its similar symptoms to other medical conditions make diagnosis difficult. This not only requires doctors to have a deeper understanding of the disease, but also requires patients to continue to seek help and speak out, so that more medical professionals can realize the impact of this disease.
If so many women suffer from endometriosis for a long time, should we rethink the importance of women's health issues in the medical system and the way medical staff are educated?
