Heavy periods, gynecologist appointment

[ATrampsVest]

I had a first appointment today with a gynecologist and it's left me feeling confused.

So a bit of background:

Very long history of painful and heavy periods. Considerably worse since having my kids a few years ago.
Been back and forth to GP and had probably around half a dozen ultra sounds with nothing found.
Tried hormonal BC, various types, just made me depressed.

Recently started spotting before my period. Also experiencing an intense stabby pain in my right hand lower abdomen when on my period and when ovulating on that side.

Anyway, after two more clear ultrasounds the GP finally gave up and referred me to a gynecologist who I saw today. GP queried if I had a polyp or possibly endometriosis.

Gyno basically thinks it's either hormonal or a polyp.

She said that the pain was probably diverticulitis because when I ovulate I also get constipation and when I'm on my period things get looser.

She said there's no way it could be endometriosis because my ultra sounds have all been clear.

Does that seem right? My understanding is that
a) ultrasounds don't pick up endometriosis
B) my bowel is on my left so why would my right side be hurting?

I would seek a second opinion from another gynae at a different hospital.

(Was a follow up appointment with this particular person offered?).

I have had a long history of painful and heavy periods and in my case the diagnosis was endometriosis. I also had many internal ultrasound scans done which showed my uterine cavity and ovaries (as part of fertility treatment). None of those showed the endometriosis and uterine polyp (unrelated to the endo but itself pumping out hormones) that was there.

I would keep a daily pain and symptom diary if you do not already do this. This will also give the gynae clues.

I would seek a second opinion. I have had severe period pains and heavy bleeding for nearly 30 years and like you being fobbed off. It got worse over the years to a point I can't have smear tests as too tight and my uterus is retroverted and so far back and fibroids. Had to have a hysteroscopy and curettage and mirena under General anaesthetic late last year. Even though period pains got better and lighter bleed which is great I still can't have smear tests done due to increased pain, tightness and soreness around the cervix and uterus and now I have some blood lumps coming out when having periods. I am now waiting to have a full pelvic examination and smear test and biopsy under GA. So please don't give up and don't be fobbed off by doctors or the hospital. My only regret is that I didn't pursue this earlier and be more persistent.

It depends on where the endo cells are... if they are in the area where you had your ultrasound then they might be picked up (mass of blood that's not going anywhere) but people have endo attached to their lungs, spine and many other places.

Only an MRI or lap can diagnose endo. It's doesn't get picked up on ultrasound. See another gynaecologist.

Ultrasounds don’t pick up endo. They can pick up adenomyosis which is similar to endo but localised to the womb. Based on my experience you can get diagnosed with suspected adenomyosis from an ultrasound, but not confirmed.

Did the ultrasound check your ovaries? Pain in the place you’ve described sounds like an ovarian cyst. Based on my own experience and googling - I’m not a medic.