Dr Garry Adair-Gilliland
Endometriosis
Rapid access to expert Endometriosis care with GP-led appointments, personalised advice, and a seamless referral pathway to diagnostics and specialist gynaecology support.
Costs
Service costs vary depending on individual needs, but our team is here to guide you. Get in touch to confirm fees and receive a clear, personalised breakdown before making any appointments.
Steps to get started
Our team will support you through every stage, from your first enquiry to your recovery.
If you’re using health insurance
Check with your provider to see what’s covered. We’re happy to help with any paperwork and can work directly with many insurance companies to make the process smoother for you.
If you’re paying for treatment yourself or using a payment plan
We’ll give you clear information about costs and help you plan your care. You’ll know exactly what to expect, with no hidden fees.
Book an Appointment
To make things easier, you can book a new consultation appointment online.
Our Locations
Each site is equipped with modern facilities and experienced teams who will look after you throughout your treatment and recovery.
Our hospitals are easy to reach and offer a calm, comfortable environment to support your care. Wherever you decide to go, you’ll receive the same high standard of personalised treatment.
Meet Our Consultants
Our consultants are specialists with years of experience. From your first consultation through to your recovery, you’ll be under the care of experts who are dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible results.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Endometriosis symptoms can vary greatly. Some women have no symptoms, while others experience mild to severe discomfort. The size of the endometriosis patches doesn’t always correlate with the severity of symptoms; women with large patches may have no issues, while those with few spots could experience significant pain.
Common symptoms include:
Painful Periods
Also referred to as menstrual cramps, this pain often starts days before menstruation and can persist throughout the cycle. Unlike typical period pain, it tends to be more intense and lasts longer. Over time, the pain may extend to cover most or all of the month.
Pain during or after sex
This is typically felt deep inside and may linger for several hours.
Difficulty getting pregnant (reduced fertility)
This may happen because endometriosis can block the egg’s path from the ovary to the Fallopian tube. In some cases, the impact on fertility isn’t fully understood.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms can include fatigue, lower abdominal pain while urinating, pain during bowel movements, lower back pain, and, on rare occasions, blood in the urine or stool.
In very rare instances, endometriosis patches may form in other parts of the body, causing unusual symptoms such as pain or bleeding coinciding with the menstrual cycle.
In very rare instances, endometriosis patches may form in other parts of the body, causing unusual symptoms such as pain or bleeding coinciding with the menstrual cycle.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
If you suspect you have endometriosis, the first step is to visit your GP. They will take your medical history and may conduct an examination to assess the likelihood of endometriosis.
Testing for endometriosis
Endotest: An Endotest is a saliva test which can be referred for by a GP or by a specialist
Swabs: Although swabs cannot diagnose endometriosis, they can check for infections in the pelvis, which may cause similar symptoms.
Ultrasound: This involves imaging of the uterus and ovaries. A transvaginal scan provides a more detailed view by inserting the scanner probe into the vagina. If this is uncomfortable, an abdominal ultrasound can be performed, though it may not detect smaller patches of endometriosis. Large patches or endometriosis-related ovarian cysts can be identified via ultrasound.
It’s important to note that small patches of endometriosis may not appear on scans, so it’s common for individuals with the condition to receive normal scan results.
What happens next?
After your GP assessment, you can either explore treatment through your GP or seek a referral to a specialist for a confirmed diagnosis.
What happens if I’m referred for suspected endometriosis?
You will see a gynaecologist with a special interest in Endometriosis. They may recommend:
Specialist Tests
MRI Scans: A pelvic MRI might be used to check for deep endometriosis in areas such as the bladder, bowel, or ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder). However, some endometriosis types are not visible with an MRI, so a normal result doesn’t entirely rule it out.
Surgical Diagnosis (Laparoscopy): The only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis is through a laparoscopy. This minor surgery involves making a small incision under general anesthesia, near the belly button. A thin, telescope-like instrument (laparoscope) is inserted through the skin to examine the abdominal cavity. If found, patches of endometriosis can often be treated during the same procedure.
While minimally invasive, a laparoscopy carries some risks but offers the dual benefit of diagnosing and treating endometriosis simultaneously.