Should I go to GP - adenomyosis

[CharlieDickens]

For a bit of background I've always had what I would describe as low grade stomach issues. Quite flatulent and before my period there was always a week of being very bloated and uncomfortable. I would have diarrhoea and really bad stomach cramps.

A few years ago I went through a phase of having quite bad kidney infections and when it was investigated they found adenomyosis. Apparently, there are fibroids growing through the wall of my uterus and pressing onto my bladder and bowel.

When I had a meeting with the consultant she said there wasn't much she could do and my best bet was to manage through diet and exercise because it wasn't severe enough. It was all working out okay until I hit menopause. Now I'm experiencing the symptoms every day and it all feels so much worse. It feels like I have no control over my bowels. I'm wondering if anyone has advice on how to deal with this. I'm going on holiday in 3 weeks and dreading it slightly.

Sorry you're feeling so worried.

TBH I'd suggest you separate this out. My personal experience of scans (over many years as part of HRT 'maintenance') doesn't add up with what you've been told.

You probably know that any change in bowel habits should be discussed with your GP asap if it's lasted for more than a few weeks. You need to have anything serious ruled out at least with a stool test and maybe a camera.

Your bowel issues may be IBS but you need other things excluding first. Diet can really help IBS but you'd need support from a dietitian (either NHS or privately.)

The bit I am querying is your diagnosis. I have adenomyosis. It's been diagnosed on scans. For me, it means I get slightly heavier bleeds on the type of HRT I use.

Adeno is an overgrowth of the womb lining into the muscle of the womb. It's not the same as fibroids. These are growths on that protrude outside the womb. If they are big they can press on the bladder. But to my knowledge they don't press on the bowel unless they are huge (like an orange.)
So they shouldn't be causing your bowel issues.

If you have severe fibroids they can be removed surgically.

Maybe see your GP and ask for a referral to a gynaecologist again and a bowel/IBS consultant (although your GP can do the simple tests first.)

There are a lot of good dietician who work with IBS (some privately by video) but most would want anything else ruled out first.

Here's a link to the FODMAP diet. https://www.wisediet.co.uk/fodmap-diet

Thank you