Gynaecology question coil fitting

[Cokezero124]

I had a transvaginal scan 6 months ago for painful periods. It showed a tiny fibroid and it stated that uterus was anteverted. Just over 2 weeks ago I had a mirena coil fitted under general anaesthetic. The reason for this was because the gynaecologist told me that it would help my period pain but no scan was done prior. I told her due to painful smears I would not be interested in a coil as I’m afraid of the pain, so she did it under GA. I just went to the GP surgery as I haven’t been able to find any strings at all and have been having a lot of pain. The nurse couldn’t find any strings not with a speculum or her fingers. So she has referred me for a scan. She told me that I’ve got a retroverted uterus and that she could clearly find my cervix but no strings. My issue is, how did I have an anteverted uterus 6 months ago but apparently now it’s retroverted? Also how could she feel my cervix and also saw it through the speculum but no strings due to it being retroverted. She wasn’t able to explain this to me but she tried to show me some photos online. What are the chances of the position of my uterus changing within 6 months?

As far as I’ve read online it can’t change really, it’s either one or the other. That’s what has worried me. The gynaecologist put on my paperwork that the procedure was uncomplicated but she never told me I had a retroverted uterus. I’ve also read that she would have needed to insert the coil a little differently due to this issue, surely this would have been mentioned to me?

I think your treatment to date has been sub optimal.

Has anyone ever mentioned endometriosis to you re painful periods. I say endometriosis as it is a very common cause of this. An internal ultrasound scan too will NOT detect endo if it is there; it is usually diagnosed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

It seems that they have only tried to treat the symptoms rather than establish the cause. The cause of all this needs to be properly determined. I would go back to the GP and ask for a referral to another gynaecology unit.

@AttilaTheMeerkat thank you for replying. The gynaecologist told me that she doesn’t think it is endometriosis because I have had the pain for years. She said endo pain usually comes when you are an adult. The thing is I meant that this pain started getting worse when I was around 19 onwards so that means that since I started my periods at around 12, they weren’t too bad for about 5 years. They’ve got a whole lot worse in the past few years. My friend at work told me that I need to get a second opinion. Gynaecologist told me she thinks this is just normal for my body. I said to her screaming and crying in pain every month during my period and ovulation is normal? I really don’t think so. I think I’m going to get a second opinion.

She then told me that even if she did find endometriosis that she would just recommend a coil anyway to help. I found this quite odd... I think she meant that there is no cure for it so there’s no real point in checking for it as the surgery would leave scars and she doesn’t think I’ve got it anyway. The thing is, isn’t it recommended to get a diagnosis just in case it causes fertility issues. Imagine if I’ve got loads of scar tissue and she’s now delayed any investigations for 5 years by fitting me with a coil. I just don’t know if im exaggerating.

"The gynaecologist told me that she doesn’t think it is endometriosis because I have had the pain for years. She said endo pain usually comes when you are an adult".

I had severe and ongoing pain relating to periods too for years and it was endometriosis that caused it. She is wrong; I came to realise post diagnosis that my endometriosis started at 14 upon onset of menses!. I had many of its classic symptoms from that time onwards.

Any pain that is cyclical in nature and or gets worse up to and including menses should be checked out further to see if endometriosis is present.

Would certainly suggest you get a second opinion and do not allow yourself to be fobbed off. Mirena is often offered because it is cheap but IIRC it is still not a licensed treatment for endometriosis. It is not suitable for all women to have and some of them will need to have it removed. I would quote also the NICE guidelines re endometriosis at them if necessary too.

You ideally should have laparoscopic surgery and a skilled gynae surgeon (not this gynae you've written about!) ideally also at a BSGE centre www.bsge.org.uk/endometriosis-centres/. I almost fell off my chair when that was initially suggested to me but I underwent this surgery. Endometriosis throughout my uterine cavity was lasered out at the time.

www.endometriosis-uk.org/ is also a good website.

My endometriosis diagnosis came about as a result of undergoing fertility treatment.

This is what my friend said too, that I don’t want to try to get pregnant in a few years and realise that I can’t, and by that point there might be too much damage. I think it’s best to check now, all I can say for sure is that this pain I suffer is not normal at all. Thank you for your helpful replies