Endometriosis

[CheeseSammich]

Just looking for some advice really and maybe experience from someone who has been diagnosed with endometriosis.
My periods started at around 13 and from the age of 14 I've had really painful periods. They're not severe every month but most months they are just crippling. I've been trying for a baby for nearly a year with no success and I'm only just starting to realise that my periods haven't been normal at all and potentially the reason I'm not falling pregnant. Everyone says periods are supposed to be painful so I've always just thought that maybe mine were a bit more painful than normal but that it was nothing to worry about.
The past few months I've been having pain when my bladder is full and with bowel movements, especially before my period is due. I experience pain from the days leading up to ovulation to near the end of my period, so sometimes I'm cramping for a full 2-3 weeks. At random points in my cycle I experience sharp stabbing pain in my ovaries, (both sides so not ovulation.) sometimes they're so bad that I have to bend over and hold my breath until it passes. Sex is sometimes painful and so is inserting a tampon. When my periods are at their worst, I'm shaking and sweating with pain, I'm doubled over, painkillers don't stop the pain, hot water bottles are completely useless. I'm usually in tears and just a mess tbh. My cycles regular and are between 30-34 days long and periods are quite heavy but would say normal flow. I have an phone appointment with my gp but just wanted to hear others experiences and wondered if this sounds like it could be endo? Tia x

Bump

This all sounds very familiar to me as a formally diagnosed person with endometriosis and this could well be the root cause of your symptoms.

What you need here is a referral to a gynae. GP should refer you rather than merely send you for a blood test or ultrasound scan (these do not detect endo anyway if it is there; it is usually diagnosed via laparoscopy which is a keyhole surgery op).

In the meantime it would be a good idea also to keep a daily pain and symptom diary if you do not already do this as this could give the gynae clues. You will need to be persistent in order to get answers.

I had the same as you.... it affected all areas of my life.... I masked it with the pill for years but then when I started TTC it re emerged worse than ever. I think it affected my fertility and I had a few disappointing years of infertility/ miscarriage. I was then lucky that I had laparoscopy and treatment with laser which made significant difference. After that I was lucky to have DD. Since my full term pregnancy my symptoms are much lessened. Keep pushing for diagnosis and medical treatment if you can.