Advice for my teenage daughter waiting for a scan (possible endometriosis)

[loveyoutothemoon]

Hi all, the doc has referred my daughter who is 13 for an ultrasound due to a lot of pelvic pain, (urine tests negative).

Is this likely to be vaginal or just the pelvic area? She wants to know and I need to prepare her for it.

Thank you.

Anyone had this experience as a teen or their teens had this?

I'm quite worried about her

There's a high chance she'll have an internal scan as well as external. They'll be gentle and tactful with her.

Yes it may be an internal scan, but it will say on the appointment letter. She may also need a laparoscopy at some point. Try to focus on the fact she’s being cared for. Lots of women with suspected endometriosis wait years and years and years for any kind of exploration and diagnosis and she’s fortunate enough not to be in that situation.

I really recommend the charity EndometriosisUk
www.endometriosis-uk.org/

Endometriosis can’t really be seen by having a scan it will be found by having laparoscopy surgery please follow the group on Facebook “endometriosis support uk 💛” you will be able to ask as many questions and lots of useful advice on doctors in the uk

I had a transvaginal ultrasound in the course of my endo being diagnosed. Obviously it wasn't pleasant but it was painless.

Thank you everyone. Yes I'm glad the doc has done the referral (I know he has as receptionist confirmed he'd actually done it, although said it could take a while). She's really suffering all round at the moment, she gets nausea and dizziness too.

I read about the laparoscopy. But I'm hoping something will be picked up before it gets to that stage like @Pelleas. I hope your treatments have helped and that you don't suffer too much.

Thanks again X

Has she been offered any medication to help her while she waits for the appointment?

I was suffering for many years before I was eventually offered a laparoscopy which diagnosed endo, but in the meantime, I took mefanamic acid which helped enormously with the symptoms. I don't know if that would be suitable for a 13yo, but it sounds as though her GP is on the ball and might prescribe something.

Hi @Gazelda thank you. I'm sorry you suffered for a long time. Did you have a scan previous to the laporoscopy?

The doc said to take ibuprofen, but if we have continued problems I'll ask for that, thank you.

Have you been able to have children?

Not my specialty but am pretty sure they wouldn’t start with a TV scan in a 13 yr old (assuming she’s not sexually actively). Appointment letter should say.

I'm a sonographer, and in out trust we wouldn't do an internal scan on an under 16. It would be an abdominal scan only

Thank you. I did suspect this. I just hope it won't delay the whole thing. Hopefully it'll pick something up.

Really appreciate the replies.

Unfortunately, ultrasound isn't great at detecting endometriosis, unless there is an endometrioma (a type of cyst found in endometriosis) there. I hope your DD gets some answers.
P.s. make sure she has a full bladder- it makes the world of difference for the clarity of the scan!

Thank you @Happyface120