by Tamer Seckin, MD | Posted on June 10, 2020
It is very important to diagnose endometriosis early in an adolescent's life. The earlier you diagnose endo, the easier to manage and prevent the consequences of the disease’s later stages. However, endometriosis in teenagers and young women is especially challenging to diagnose because it differs from that of adults. Although it is critical to treat a teenager or young woman with endometriosis with support, compassionate care, and empathy, it is not enough. We must do more, including early and accurate diagnosis, education, and early intervention of the early stage lesions in order to halt the progress of the disease. Dr. Seckin's goal in both his practice and in the establishment of the Endometriosis Foundation of America is to increase awareness and availability of proper treatment so doctors and patients alike can catch this disease as early as possible in order to limit the damage it does to the body.
For the purpose of clarity on this page, we use the word "teenager" to describe women between the ages of 13-18, "young woman" for women between the ages of 19-23, and "adolescents" as encompassing both of these age groups. Most girls initially do not ovulate and therefore their periods are irregular. For further reference, above is an ovulation video related to the menstrual cycle.
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