Endometriosis

[Angel022605]

I have a few concerns about endometriosis. For those of you who are/were diagnosed with endometriosis what are/were your symptoms? How were you diagnosed? Did it cause fertility problems? I'm scared I might have it. Is it truly hereditary? The only signs I display are mild cramping, mild backache, and nausea. I've also read that a cycle shorter than 27 days can be a sign(I've had 2 shorter cycles). I know you can have 000 symptoms and have A LOT of endometriosis and you can have little to no endometriosis and have A LOT of symptoms. I'm scared. Positive insight is needed please.

 

[mrslove13]

You're right, endometriosis can present differently in each individual. The only sure way to diagnose it is through a laparoscopic surgery, at which point they will likely also excise any lesions and scar tissue which may get you some relief. Typically this will be followed by some form of hormone therapy in an attempt to regulate and balance your cycles after surgery - hormone imbalances and inconsistent cycles can also be an indicator/result of endometriosis. I had irregular cycles with frequent spotting, painful cramps throughout my cycles, cysts, and irregular hormone levels. I had surgery to diagnose and then a few others to manage over the years combined with a few different hormone therapies. Luckily it is not always related to infertility, I see a great specialist and he has very high success rates in patients with endometriosis. It does require some management but with a good RE you should be able to get a clear picture of your situation and outlook and get a plan in place. It can be very manageable and often subsides considerably or resolves completely after a pregnancy (there is no clear explanation for why this happens!)

 

[GraceER]

Hi Angel, I have endometriosis and I'm also a doctor. My whole story is summarised at the beginning of my journal, but to summarise my symptoms were pain during sex, period pain and back pain to start with. Over the months and years the pain was there on more days of the month until without hormones I would be in pain every day. I've only started TTC in the last few days so no idea if I have infertility yet.

The symptoms you describe sound like they could be either normal or endo. Have your periods changed recently? If they have, did they change because you stopped the pill or other contraceptive? As a rule medically I would want to investigate you if you were having periods longer than 7 days, pain so bad that ibuprofen or paracetamol doesn't help or you have to stay home, or you had TTC with no success for over a year. Hope that helps, feel free to ask me anything x

 

[Angel022605]

Hi Angel, I have endometriosis and I'm also a doctor. My whole story is summarised at the beginning of my journal, but to summarise my symptoms were pain during sex, period pain and back pain to start with. Over the months and years the pain was there on more days of the month until without hormones I would be in pain every day. I've only started TTC in the last few days so no idea if I have infertility yet.

The symptoms you describe sound like they could be either normal or endo. Have your periods changed recently? If they have, did they change because you stopped the pill or other contraceptive? As a rule medically I would want to investigate you if you were having periods longer than 7 days, pain so bad that ibuprofen or paracetamol doesn't help or you have to stay home, or you had TTC with no success for over a year. Hope that helps, feel free to ask me anything x

To answer a few questions: yes my period have changed just a little bit. After the Depo shot my cycles finally regulated and I had 27-28 CD for a few months. Then suddenly outta now where about June/July of last yr(2014) I had a couple long cycles. One cycle was 37 days and with 2 months inbetween I had a 40 day cycle. After that it regulated until a few months later I had a couple shorter cycles(25-26 days). Now I avg out to about 29-30 days. As far as if it's due to being off BCP I'm not sure. I have bled through a super tampon but it took 6 hrs to bleed through. My periods have always lasted 4-6 days and my pain is controlled for the most part by midol. I don't get pain during sex it's more pressure especially if he goes deep. I hope I've cleared a few things up for you thank you so much for responding

 

[jjohns50]

Angel,
I am waiting to have me lap done right now. So I suppose I am not 100% diagnosed but my reg OB-gyn and pelvic pain specialist both believe it to be endo. For the past years (since I was around 14) I had periods so bad I woulld have to go to the emergency room, I would be vomiting and jus tin a lot of pain every time I had my period. Bc pills helped, although I rarely took them on schedule, and would always eventually quit taking them. I was on the depo provera shot for around a year, and just got off this April. I have also been diagnosed with IC (interstitial Cystitis) which my specialist said he sees a lot in girls with endo. It basically is the irritation of bladder from (something?). They dont know for sure but certain foods/drinks make it worse. Anyways, this is my first cycle TTC and I am also worried about having infertility issues. I am on CD 37, adn I believe I ovulated on CD 9 (I track CM, but I do not Temp). I was expecting my period to come 8 days ago, and theres no sign of it popping up anytime soon! I called my OB nurse and she is doubtful that I am pregnant but I have never had issues with overly long cycles until now. Have you ever heard of endo/ related hormone imbalances causing BFN for an extended period of time??

Also, the pain with endo suring sex 4 me is a very sharp "pull it out now" pain w/ deep penetration. But depending on the severity/ location it can feel different! Has your OB ordered an ultrasound or done a physical exam looking for this? Also, how old are you?

 

[Angel022605]

Angel,
I am waiting to have me lap done right now. So I suppose I am not 100% diagnosed but my reg OB-gyn and pelvic pain specialist both believe it to be endo. For the past years (since I was around 14) I had periods so bad I woulld have to go to the emergency room, I would be vomiting and jus tin a lot of pain every time I had my period. Bc pills helped, although I rarely took them on schedule, and would always eventually quit taking them. I was on the depo provera shot for around a year, and just got off this April. I have also been diagnosed with IC (interstitial Cystitis) which my specialist said he sees a lot in girls with endo. It basically is the irritation of bladder from (something?). They dont know for sure but certain foods/drinks make it worse. Anyways, this is my first cycle TTC and I am also worried about having infertility issues. I am on CD 37, adn I believe I ovulated on CD 9 (I track CM, but I do not Temp). I was expecting my period to come 8 days ago, and theres no sign of it popping up anytime soon! I called my OB nurse and she is doubtful that I am pregnant but I have never had issues with overly long cycles until now. Have you ever heard of endo/ related hormone imbalances causing BFN for an extended period of time??

Also, the pain with endo suring sex 4 me is a very sharp "pull it out now" pain w/ deep penetration. But depending on the severity/ location it can feel different! Has your OB ordered an ultrasound or done a physical exam looking for this? Also, how old are you?

I have had an ultrasound but it wasn't for that reason. I found out I had an uterine fibroid. I have not had a physical exam searching for endo yet. I just turned 31 back in July. And I've never heard of endo/related hormone imbalances causing BFN for an extended period of time.

 

[laura_019]

I have PCOS, but my mom had endometriosis. My mom was able to conceive 3 healthy children naturally, although her third pregnancy was the hardest. It took her years to conceived and she bled everyday throughout her pregnancy. She had an emergency hysterectomy done, but she mentioned to me about awful period pains. I know PCOS is hereditary and I believe my grandmother (my mom's mom lol) had it, but know that there is hope of conceiving naturally with endometriosis!!!