How long for a diagnosis? (Gynae issues)

[grouchymamabear]

Hi all,

Over the last year I have had endless issues with my reproductive system. Initially I assumed it was a normal postpartum thing and so didn't see a GP until I was around 4 months pp and at the end of my tether. It was brushed off as normal and that the only thing they could do for me was to put me on the pill - which only escalated things.

The pain that I feel can be either from inside the vagina itself, either side (ovaries) or bang in the middle and varies from cramping, sharp or pinching pains, body-being-ripped-open type pains or just feeling like all my insides are going to fall out. There's no set time in the cycle for the pains nor are there any real patterns in terms of duration, intensity, etc but ovulation, bowel movements and during/after sex tend to be the worst. On top of this, I am lethargic, moody and have zero concentration. It is affecting my day to day life as well as my relationships with my partner and our son.

I am now 12 months postpartum and my new GP shared my concerns that something wasn't right so referred me to have blood tests and an ultrasound. All of which have come back normal. I know that this is just the start of my investigations but can't help but feel frustrated by the uncertainty (while facing almost daily pains).

As I know these kind of issues can take a long time to diagnose, I'd like to ask if very anyone has been in a similar situation before and how long it took before you had an official diagnosis?

It may be nothing gynae at all. It could be IBS or another digestive issue.

However, if it is gynae, you need referring to an expert- a specialist.
One possibility is endometriosis which needs an expert as it's easily missed and can only be diagnosed with surgery to have a look.

I agree with endometriosis suggestion, your pain sounds similar to the pain my friend is in since have three sections.

The symptoms that you describe here sound awfully like endometriosis to me and that is not picked up on any internal ultrasound scans. Deep pain during sex is actually one of its main indicators. Any pain that is cyclical in nature and gets worse up to and including menses should be investigated further to see if endometriosis is present.

What has the GP suggested now, do you actually have a gynae referral?.

In the meantime I would keep a daily pain and symptom diary noting pain on a scale from 1-10. This will also give the gynae clues.

I now realise my problems with endometriosis started at onset of menses at 14. It took me two decades to get this diagnosed largely because of ignorance of this and I was only properly diagnosed when having fertility treatment.