The added advantage of laparoscopy in endometriosis is that your diagnosis can be confirmed and treatment can be carried out at the same time. It can also rule out some other conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms.
If endometriosis can be seen during the laparoscopy, a sample will usually be removed for examination under the microscope. This will confirm the diagnosis.
Your treatment will depend on where the endometriosis is found and how much is found.
Spots of endometriosis throughout the pelvis can be removed surgically (excision) or be treated by destroying the cells using diathermy (ablation). Endometriosis cysts in the ovaries (endometriomas) will usually be removed, although ablation is sometimes performed.
Studies have shown that five years after surgery, up to 70 per cent of women will have no evidence of endometriosis returning.
Not all endometriosis can be treated with laparoscopy, however. Sometimes endometriosis affects other organs such as the bowel or ureter (the tube from the kidney to the bladder). If this is the case, you may require further surgery at a later date. Further surgery is likely to involve other specialist surgeons.