As you are probably already aware, every month the lining of your uterus builds up, then sheds during menstruation. Unfortunately, in some women this lining can spread to other parts of the body, especially in the abdomen. What happens is that it tries to shed during your period as well, but because it is not connected to the vagina, it has nowhere to go, thus causing internal bleeding, inflammation, and pain. Given that your doctor has ruled out infections, it makes sense to explore this possibility. Unfortunately, the only way to confirm the presence is by use of a laparoscope which is a small camera inserted into the abdomen via an incision, although it is often diagnosed purely by its symptoms and by ruling out other conditions.
Treatment usually involves a combination of medicine and surgery.
You can read far more about endomtreosis and its diagnosis and treatment at our Endometriosis program at Thrive. Click on picture above for his bio. Shop O2 . All Rights Reserved.