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Glossary - L
Laparoscope: An instrument, like a small telescope with a light on one end, used to look at the inside of the pelvis, during a laparoscopy.
Leiomyoma: The medical term for fibroids.
Lesion: A small area of abnormal tissue – can be caused by endometriosis, other diseases or injury.
Luteal phase: The part of the menstrual cycle between ovulation and menstruation
Luteinising hormone (LH): One of the gonadotropins - the hormone that is responsible for releasing an egg.
Laparoscopy: The only way to diagnose endometriosis is through a procedure called a laparoscopy. Usually done under general anaesthetic, a small telescope with a light on the end (the laparoscope) is inserted into the pelvis through the navel (belly button). The laparoscope usually has a camera to transmit the images to a video monitor, which the surgeon uses to look inside the body. Carbon dioxide gas is used to extend the abdomen, to give the surgeon room to see the organs. The surgeon can move the laparoscope around the abdomen, to look for endometriosis. They may make another small cut to insert surgical instruments to treat the endometriosis or they might remove part of it to be examined at a later stage, this is known as a biopsy. After the procedure, the gas is removed. For more information about a laparoscopy and what to expect, please click here.
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