Gastrointestinal issues

[perihelpneeded]

I have been having gastro issues for a while and am currently waiting for a referral as the GP wanted IBD ruled out, but am also awaiting blood tests to confirm peri (GP wanted bloods as I am 41 and am currently awaiting the second set 8 weeks apart from the first, even though the first indicated it is peri).

I am wondering how much of my issues could potentially be hormone based and if so, what I could do to help it. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Peri should really be diagnosed on symptoms and if you have symptom, pop some HRT patches and progesterone pills and the symptoms ease then its hormones.

Thing is HRT isn't a biggie you can try it for 6 months see what happens, and gastro issues are one of main symptoms.

Also I'm a patch advocate as the gel is harder to dose and can be a bit overwhelming daily applying. I'm also a continuous progesterone taker so no periods but no coil, that wouldn't suit me.

I'm 49 and have been on it from 47ish and wish I'd started it sooner., my 40s were a rollercoaster of symptoms pre the Davina show I had zero clue why.

Your doctor is right. I had gastro issues dismissed as menopause or IBS. Nope, it's IBD in the end.

I've had a whole set of tests as longer than the other symptoms has been years of abdominal pain. I do wonder if this is a combination of 2 things but it's hard to separate out. Really hoping they are willing to try HRT at my next appointment while I wait for gastro.

I went through symptoms and honestly feel like I have so many. Have had symptoms for over a year but periods had been regularish until 3 months ago.

It feels like everything has got significantly worse in the last few months though.

I thought they would go on symptoms alone but she said she needed bloods to confirm so wasn't sure if that was because of my age.

It's definitely best to rule out gastro issues.

I wonder if anyone has suggested endometriosis? It's headlining today as a new treatment (tablet) is available.

Abdo issues can be a sign so maybe you need to be referred to a gynaecologist as well?

To determine peri you need 2 blood tests, 8 weeks apart, taken on days 2-5 of your cycle, to measure your FSH. One single blood test isn't enough.

It was more than 15 years ago now but I did have a laparoscopy to rule this out as I was having a lot of issues back then and they said no endometriosis.

The abdominal pain started years ago and I was sent to gynae and gastro, each decided it was the others issue. I ended up paying for a scan, dermoid cyst was found, they decided its a VERY low cancer risk so decided to leave it, they did do a C125 test and rechecked by ultrasound, that was 2 years ago. Thats one of the things that has been done, last week had an ultrasound again. I also had stool tests to check calprotectin and also a FIT test, FIT test negative but calprotectin done twice was raised so that triggered the gastro referral.

So I personally think there is a chance of 2 things going on, I do think with my symptoms that this is peri menopause, but I also think there is an issue, whether its gynae or gastro I have no idea. But I feel like ive spent 4 years asking for help and its only been seeing a different doctor that ive got anywhere so im hoping this time I get some answers but I had given up hope a little and just accepted that I would be in pain until it either resolved or got worse to the point they could figure out the cause.

That's so frustrating for you.

In terms of endo there are a handful of truly expert gynaecologists in the UK who deal with just that.

If you want names I can PM you.

That would be great, thank you