Could this be endometriosis?

[MrsBloatymcbloatface]

I’m not sure what is happening, but my last period was so painful, there were a few times I couldn’t sit down and going to the toilet felt like I was in labour with shooting pain. I have had this in the past, but not lately and never this bad.

I do get a lot of cramping throughout my cycle, but this month seems to be worse.

I’ve been back and forth to my GP lately about unexplained water retention, fatigue and feeling cold. They’ve referred me to an endocrinologist and I’m still waiting, but now wondering if I should see a gynaecologist instead?

It could be - or it could be adenomyosis or fibroids, or a combination of more than one condition (when I was finally diagnosed, I had all three).

I don't think you should cancel the referral to the endocrinologist but it would be a good idea to ask for a gynaecology referral as well.

Endo is notoriously under-diagnosed, doctors fob you off with all kinds of rubbish explanations, so make sure you are persistent until it is categorically diagnosed or ruled out.

Thank you @ArblemarchTFruitbat I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with all that!

I think I will go back and ask about seeing a gynaecologist. I guess I was wondering if my other symptoms could somehow be related to this as my GP couldn’t find anything else.

Can I ask, were you diagnosed on the NHS or did you have to go private?

I was diagnosed on the NHS - eventually - but treated privately (luckily covered by my work medical insurance). On the NHS it was a 10 month wait even for the initial consultation about treatment.

This is a really useful site for endo advice:

healthunlocked.com/endometriosis-uk

Yes this sounds like it could be endo. I have severe endo and I had similar pain and cold feeling- once sat in the hot sun wearing three layers and a hot water bottle at my worst- caused by the inflammation.
You need it diagnosed with a laparoscopy - sometimes it can be visible on MrI if it’s severe.
Also could be adenomyosis too - this can be seen on mri and sometimes ultrasound. I have this too!
I had major excision surgery to remove it all’s it was very severe but I was lucky enough to find a surgeon to remove it all and I had to use bupa (was sent away from GP appts / hospital appts for 25 years so I had to take matters into my own hands)
Best of luck xx

Thank you both. That’s interesting that you felt cold too, @Namechange600 !

I had never heard of adenomyosis, but it does sound a bit like that too. The only thing is lately my periods are only heavy for one or two days and then get really light (I think that’s why the GP has never considered endo). But could that be retrograde menstruation? I still have a lot of cramping, but not much comes out. Or it stops and starts.

My husband has just signed us up for a cash health plan. It won’t cover any surgery, but could cover the consultation and scan. I can’t use it until December though.

Do either of you take any form of birth control and does it help?

I have a prescription for Eloine as I hoped it might help with my other symptoms, but haven’t started it yet.

Thanks again for your advice! xx