Is this endometriosis? Posting here for traffic.

[Freebet]

I’m 50 and the past 30 years I’ve been back and fore to the GP with painful periods and horrible pain around ovulation. I’ve had ultrasounds, bloods but apart from a ‘bulky uterus’ and the occasional small cyst on that ovary nothing has been found.

I’ve just had another ultrasound as the bleeding and pain is now really awful. Around ovulation is excruciating and with every movement the pain flares, into my hip, lower back and down my thigh. It’s bloody agony.

On this ultrasound they couldn’t see the offending ovary, the technician said that the ovary was around the back of my womb and she could t see it at all to check for cysts.

She asked whether I’d ever been told I had endometriosis - I explained that I’ve suspected it for many years. She said she’d write a report to the GP. I spoke to my GP once she had received the report and she was a bit non plussed - said it did t prove I had endo and as far as she was concerned everything seemed normal and there isn’t really anything she can do.

I suffer badly with what I think is IBS and it’s really ramped up since I started peri at 45. I’m wondering if the endo is now getting worse.

Where can I go from here? GP is disinterested and says it’s just ovulation pain. If they can’t see my ovary how can they be sure it’s all ok? Any advice please?

It does sound like it but often it’s hard to diagnose without surgery. I have the exact same symptoms and have for a long time (getting worse), I have been back and forth to gynaecology for years and still no diagnosis but I am now waiting for a hysterectomy, I’m only 41 so they want to leave my ovaries, this worries me seeing as I get such awful ovulation pains.

They can't detect endometriosis without a laparoscopy which is an expensive operation under general anaesthetic.

I suspect because of your age they are reluctant to go down that route because you're almost at average menopause age.

Keep pushing, but at the same time I have had huge success in suppressing any Endo symptoms by being on cerazette. I'm 53 and they recommend I stay on it until age 55 so I'm avoiding the worst of any menopause symptoms atm too, so it may be worth asking to be put on that to help reduce the bleeding.

Laparoscopy is the best way to see endometriosis. You will have periods where you need double sanity towels plus extra ( I used to cut the protection part out of babies nappies but still bled down my leg). Bleeding between periods..You will have chronic pain during/ and or after intercourse
Also bad pain in urinating and bowel movements.
Fatigue.
Depression.
Bloating and feeling of sickness.

It sounds like it could be endo.

In which case minimising periods is the way to go, either with pill and running them together or with implant etc.

The gold standard treatment is laparoscopy which is basically where they open you up and take a look. They can then laser off endo deposits elsewhere if they find them.

The IBS may be being exacerbated by endo deposits on the bowels.

Standard procedure in this case is to try to work out what is triggering your bowels - so you could try cutting out dairy for some time and seeing what impact it has. Then move on to eg gluten etc.

Alternatively if you want to be really hardcore cut right back to a very simple diet - no caffeine alcohol dairy gluten and see what difference it makes as you re-introduce stuff.

For the pain, paracetamol and ibuprofen interleaved will help. Your doctor might prescribe mefenamic or tranexamic acid both of which are painkillers which are good for period pain.

Symptoms will be different depending on the individual.

I had a laparoscopy and was diagnosed as stage 4 which is the most severe occurrence, but didn't have an issue with painful sex, didn't have bleeding in between periods- although didn't have a regular cycle- and my bleeding wasn't overly heavy.

My pain was worst a couple of days before my period and during it. No concoction of painkillers really helped, suppressing the periods was the solution that helped me.

This is actually quite misleading. It's possible to have all of those symptoms with endo, it's also possible to have severe endo with fairly mild symptoms. It's very different for everyone.

I’ve tried all things with my diet and the IBS but there’s no rhyme nor reason for any of it. I get pain before a BM and afterwards strangely. This leads then to a feeling that I’m not empty and I can make several trips to the loo.

No pain during sex, I do get bloating and fatigue. Horrible period pain and a lot of bleeding but it’s the ovulation pain that is really the issue. It’s a burning constant pain that is made worse by taking deep breaths or moving.

I shall ask about the cerazette. I tried HRT for one cycle and felt appalling on the Oestrgel - shaky and light headed, anxiety through the roof.

Diet made no difference to me, although I notice that if I drink a lot of alcohol I do get the odd twinge.

It also made me feel worse - not only did I have excruciating pain but I couldn't eat and drink like normal people.

Bulky uterus sounds like adenomyosis- I had the same expression used before

adenomyosis and endometriosis often go hand in hand :(

your symptoms sound highly suggestive of endometriosis and I would push for a laparoscopy to diagnose, ideally excision (not ablation) to remove the endometriosis

good luck xx

I thought mri could check for it? I was sent for mri but not heard back yet.

Op I also get the burning sensation but only right after which is weird.
It's tiring isn't it being left in the dark about it all.

@RejuvenatedJJanuary did your mri diagnose it