Laparoscopy. Help!

[Lizzie334]

Hey everybody. I don’t have children but I googled this particular procedure and saw a thread and noticed how helpful everybody was so I hope you don’t mind me asking about it.

I am 24 years old and for two years I have had mild to severe pain during sex and then every so often a dull pulling ache when I walk on either side of my ovaries. My periods are regular every 28 days and I have no bleeding or unusual discharge after sex, or in between my cycle. The doctors put this pain down to the coil which was fitted and then the pill that I was on. It has been 8 months since I was on any contraception and the pain is still there. I’ve had blood tests, full swabs for infections, ultrasounds, internal and external examinations (where they ‘wind’ you up so to say and look inside you with a light) and they don’t know what the issue is as everything is clear. I have since been referred for a laparoscopy on the 5th September.

Is this anything to be worried about? I am 24 so I am too young for a smear but I’d of thought the next process would be a smear instead of a very costly day case procedure.

Does anybody have any idea what my problem could be? Or has anybody suffered with these problems before and been referred for this procedure?

I don’t know if it makes a difference but I had a surgical abortion when I was 17 only around 8 weeks pregnant and Devastatingly I suffered a miscarriage Christmas 2017.

I want children as soon as possible and I’m getting huge anxiety around the problem to the point where I’m in tears most nights thinking A) I’m about to be diagnosed with the worst case scenario or B) I won’t be able to have children.

Thanks to anybody in advance who replies to me and helps me xx

Hi. A laparoscopy is often a way of checking for endometriosis, which can cause the sort of pain you describe. It sounds as though they've gone as far as they can go, non-invasively, and this is a next step to find out what's causing your pain.

My understanding is that a smear specifically tests for abnormalities in the cells of your cervix so would be unlikely to be of use in identifying the cause of pelvic/abdominal pain.

I'm so sorry to hear about the trauma of your abortion and miscarriage .

The important thing here is that the doctors are taking your pain seriously. Many women get fobbed off for years (I did) and then when finally diagnosed, the problem is more advanced and difficult to sort out. If it is endo, there are lots of treatment options and catching it early should make these straightforward.

Heya it does sound like what you’re experiencing could be endometriosis. I was diagnosed at 22 following a laparoscopy - basically they use a little camera that they put in through your tummy (mine was through my belly button) and they check to see if there’s any endo tissue. Unfortunately you they can’t check for it any other way. If they find any at the time then they will laser it away. You will be under general anaesthetic for this and you’ll be in and out in a day :) I felt so much better after. Problem is it can come back - I was due for another lapro and removal at 29 but then started trying for a baby so they said to wait until I was done having kids. Let me know if you have any other questions x

Also sorry Hun forgot to say - I also had a termination at 17 so feel your pain there

I hope the laparoscopy helps you get a diagnosis. I've had two, both endo related. They are fine, the worst bit is that they pump you full of gas to give them space to see, which can then make you very burpy and uncomfortable for a few days - I found drinking lots of hot mint tea really helped.

I think you have a smear as soon as you’re sexually active OP