Polycystic ovarian disease (also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS) and endometriosis are two common causes of female infertility. Because both conditions can cause infertility and pain in the pelvis or abdomen, they can sometimes be difficult to distinguish, even for a trained physician. Fortunately, there are tests which can help to tell them apart, either by differentiating between symptoms or by visualizing the ovaries and the uterus.
Step 1
Check for weight gain or unusual hair growth. Sudden weight increases or abnormal growth of body hair (hirsutism) are symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Neither symptom occurs with endometriosis.
Step 2
Get your hormone levels checked. Polycystic ovarian syndrome causes an abnormally high level of male hormones in the blood stream, whereas endometriosis does not. This test can be used to distinguish between the two conditions.
Step 3
Get a trans-vaginal ultrasound. This is a relatively non-invasive procedure (i.e. requires no incisions) that uses high frequency sound waves to visualize structures within your pelvis, such as the uterus and your ovaries. Although a trans-vaginal ultrasound may not always be able to distinguish between polycystic ovarian disease and endometriosis, it requires no surgery.
Step 4
Receive a diagnostic laparoscopy. For this procedure, a surgeon will make a small incision in your abdomen and will then place a small camera inside your abdominal cavity to visualize your ovaries and uterus. This procedure can be used to identify ovarian cysts or abnormal endometrial tissue.
