When I was looking for answers to my problems for years, I had no idea that there were specialized centers for women with endometriosis. I thought that every gynecologist could handle such issues. Today, I know that choosing the right center can fundamentally affect not only the path to diagnosis but also the quality of subsequent treatment. In this article, I share my experience with endocenters and also provide practical information that I would have appreciated much earlier.
A long road to diagnosis
From the beginning of my problems, I was convinced that any gynecological issues could be resolved by any gynecologist. The fact that it took so long to figure out what was wrong with me, I attributed either to bad luck with doctors, or to my problems being "just" a side effect of medication for Bechterew's disease. This was, after all, what some doctors repeatedly told me.
My rheumatologist, however, refuted this, so I kept investigating. But the problems escalated, and I gradually started to doubt myself.
If nothing "showed up" on the ultrasound or in the blood tests, the problem simply didn't exist for some doctors. And I was labeled as oversensitive. The solution was supposed to be pregnancy or hormonal contraception. But I didn't want to just cover up the symptoms. I wanted to know why I felt so unwell.
Getting acquainted with endometriosis
Until then, I had actually never heard of endometriosis. And it certainly never occurred to me that there was such a thing as an endocenter – a specialized workplace where doctors trained specifically for this complex disease operate.
My luck in misfortune was a new gynecologist who believed in my problems and started to address them. However, the diagnosis proceeded "the old way," and I was sent for a diagnostic laparoscopy at the regional hospital in Ústí nad Labem.
My path to diagnosis
During the laparoscopy, I was operated on by a doctor who runs a small endo-clinic in Ústí. To this day, I don't understand why no one sent me to her sooner. An endometriosis specialist would probably have detected my findings even with an ultrasound. I only received a recommendation to this clinic upon discharge after the operation.
After 12 years of problems, I finally left with a diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis, and I could start searching further. During the surgery, one endometrioma on my ovary was drained. However, the rest of the findings remained. Why?
Why isn't every gynecologist sufficient?
Because endometriosis is not just a "gynecological" disease. In severe forms, such as deep infiltrating endometriosis, it often affects other organs as well – most commonly the bowel or bladder. Such operations require a multidisciplinary team. Moreover, a detailed mapping of the extent of the lesions should be carried out before surgery, so that the team is properly composed and prepared.
What is an endocenter?
How do you recognize a facility that specializes in even the most severe forms of endometriosis? By checking if they have the European certification EuroEndoCert.
Obtaining this certification means meeting strict criteria:
