Stages and Grades of Endometriosis
This disease is like the natural course of life. It starts small, in its early stages, then grows and advances into later stages, and eventually can be resolved or ended when we wake up and seek effective treatment.
Treatment of Endometriosis
Treatment varies depending on the stage of the disease. A doctor diagnoses the stage based on symptoms, medical history, and a thorough physical examination. In reality, laparoscopy is considered the definitive and accurate method for diagnosing endometriosis. Laparoscopic surgery is used both for diagnosis and treatment.
There are four stages or grades of endometriosis, and I want you, as you read this, to imagine a game of bowling at each stage.
- Stage One: Superficial lesions, usually in the pelvic cavity, causing inflammation and tissue irritation.
- Stage Two: A more advanced form of stage one, with symptoms being more widespread and more painful.
- Stage Three: The appearance of “chocolate cysts” on the ovaries, with adhesions forming and of course, increasing pain.
- Stage Four: The most advanced stage, where endometriosis infiltrates abdominal and pelvic organs. The disease may affect different areas such as the bladder, colon, or fallopian tubes. In this stage, we may lose part or even all of an organ, such as destructive fluid infiltrating the tubes. This causes severe pain, along with internal pelvic adhesions—what’s known as a “frozen pelvis.” It’s a more aggressive and invasive stage, and its treatment requires patience and significant effort.