PCOS or Endo

[ljn1650]

I recently had an ultrasound that discovered suspected PCOS and an enlarged left ovary. I will be going in for blood test to confirm androgen levels before official diagnosis.

I get severe period pains, and the last one I was on the floor on my hands and knees with agonising shooting pains in my lower left abdomen lasting a few minutes then subsiding to a dull ache. These pains pop up throughout my cycle but not quite so severe as when bleeding. To me this sounds more like endo or a cyst, but the GP told me there are no cysts and I know how hard it can be do push for endo investigation.

Does this sound like anyone else's experience with PCOS?

Sadly not all GPs are at all up to date with their knowledge when it comes to endometriosis. I had no endometriomas (chocolate cysts) relating to endometriosis either but it was located throughout my uterine cavity.

PCOS in my case was and remains the main cause of my irregular cycles. The cystic follicles associated with this condition come and go, only to be replaced by further cystic follicles.

Any pain that is cyclical in nature and or gets worse up to and including menses should be checked out by a gynae to see if endometriosis is the cause. What you're describing re the pain sounds very much like my experience of endometriosis and I used to end up on the floor with this too. It is usually diagnosed via a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy. Ultrasound scans do not usually detect endometriosis if it is there as the endometrical deposits are so small.

Push for gynae investigation and do not take no for an answer.