Anyone with Endo? I have questions

[Trinity42]

I have not been diagnosed with Endo but I was reading up on some things about painful sex and it lead me to think i might have it fx I don't but I went to the clinic Monday and I told the dr that it hurts in my cervix and uterus area when we have sex, even if its just really gental ad her answer was quit smoking. It was like she didnt care.... Anyway Some of my problems are...
painful sex
cramps from ovulation to period
at times crazy heavy period
very clotty
AF cramps that leave me in a ball in pain
I dont know if this has anything to do with anything but I started my period at age 11 and it was so bad I had to miss school for a week every month becasue it was so painful and heavy. I would go through an over night pad in 30 minutes. Now its still that heavy at times. Any answeres would be great. I am going to see my regular gyn in November and I would like to have an idea of what to tell him. The clinic dr i saw acted like she didnt even want to spend time answereing my questions so it really pissed me off... Thanks in advance...

 

[Nathyrra]

It boggles my mind how fast some doctors are to dismiss things like this. I'm sorry you haven't had much support from them so far

Unfortunately it does sound rather like Endo to me. I was diagnosed last week with Endo (as well as PCOS) and to be honest it came as a big shock. Though looking back over the years since I've been sexually active there were always things I couldn't do without it hurting. (Sex from behind always hurt me but never thought anything of it as it had always been the same.) If your whole history since starting your period has you wondering about Endo then I would certainly push for your Gynae to refer you for a Laprascopy to try and confirm this for you.

I often find with gut instincts with my body, I have to be rather aggressive with my tactics with the doctor. if I don't sound so sure myself they will dismiss it as nothing. I think being adament with your gynae that you want some answers now might be the best course of action.

I hope it doesn't come to that and that you find yourself pregnant before then! Best of luck to you, I'm sure some of the other girls will have some words of advice also!

 

[reallyready]

Hi Trinity,

I have been going through the same thing with my Gyno. I just found an endo specialist and then faxed my doctor asking that she refer me to her (for insurance to cover I'd need the referral) She agreed to it, but she called to say that normally women with endo at my age aren't necessarily helped by the lap/surgery that in younger women the endo will help them to get pg faster but that at my age the fastest way to pg is via IVF. She LOVES to talk about my age (I'm 39).

So you see, doctors are people with their own experiences that they form decisions around but we have to remember since their experience doesn't include ours they sometimes fall short of advising us, of knowing what is going on with us and its up to us to be our own advocates.

I'm sure this is what my doctor has seen and I give her the benefit of the doubt that she is giving me her best advice. However, inside me I really want to know if I have endo and if I do, I'd like to go ahead and address that through surgery and diet. If I don't explore it, I'll always wonder. So I would say look into it and tell your doctor to refer to you an endo specialist so that you can get a second opinion about that.

Good luck and many hugs!

RR

 

[reallyready]

Also, about the smoking, I'm sure you do realize already that smoking decreases fertility. I used to smoke and I had a doctor tell me that for every one cigarette you smoke, it is like your uterus is smoking five. I have no idea where she got that info, but the visual always stuck with me. If you are having trouble conceiving, it seems the next natural step is to give up the ciggys. Even because if you do fall pregnant while you are still smoking, you are keeping back oxygen from your newly forming child by continuing. You aren't going to quit until you are ready and you may have to quit many times, but eventually, if you keep quitting, you'll quit for good. The average person I think takes about 8 times quitting before it sticks. You'll be so much happier when it finally does!!! xoxox

 

[buttonnose82]

I'm not TTC yet but do have endo so thought i would pop by. Your symptoms do sound very much like endo, I can't believe it takes Dr's so long to diagnose, I first started going to the Dr about my symptoms from when i was 14, I was 22 before they fianlly diagnosed it and tried treating it with Zoladex with no resolve. I am now here at the grand old age of 27 and the best thing I have found that helps is something called a MN8, it is a tear drop shaped magnet that attachs to you underwear, I use it from 3 days before AF is due up until a day after AF finishes, it really helps with the pains and also with the emotions

I hope you manage to get some resolve with your dr's soon

 

[brumbar]

Hey hun! The only way to diagnose endo is by doing a lap. the severity of the symptoms are not directly related to the severity of the endo. Some people may not have any symptoms and still have it... Others might be in lots of pain and have every possible symptom but minimal damage. I haven't been clinically diagnosed but i've got a cyst - possible endometrioma... too small to justify me going through a lap (personal opinion). I personaly think that following a diet can help with the pain, but not sure if it will get rid of it. You can google 'endo resolved' and learn more about it...sorry i'm not posting a link but i'm typing on my mobile....The site is one of the best I've encountered. Good luck hun!

 

[Starbright]

Hi

Your symptons do sound similar to endo symptons to me. I've had lots of what you describe. Unfortunately the average time for a diagnosis of endo is about 7 years (last statistic I heard).
Good luck for your gynae appointment. You could try the National Endometriosis Society for a detailed description on the symptons.
Tc
xx
SB xxxx