Please can I have your experience with endometriosis?

[Cphr1234]

Im been referred to a gynaecologist after years of pain that have got worse after having my child. Suspected “adhesions “ but it’s taking so long due to backlogs I’ve started googling myself and wondering if I could have endo. Every month when ovulation hits , (it’s very easy to distinguish which stage of my cycle I’m at as I had years of ttc so became an expert 🙄)I feel like I have the flu struggling to be a good energetic mum as I feel so crap. I feel like I have a huge pressure painful ball in my stomach which must be my uterus, the pain radiates to my back groin and legs. Aches after i urinate and severely bloated also painkillers don’t touch the pain. I will then have a few fairly normal days with minimal pain and then the week before my period it all starts again. My periods aren’t overly heavy so would it be possible to have endo without heavy bleeding ? Just looking for your personal experiences , I’ve had ultrasounds which showed nothing.

Also bad nausea at the time of ovulation and I can barely eat.

Endometriosis cannot be ruled out here. Any symptoms that are cyclical in nature and or gets worse up to and including menses should be checked out by a gynaecologist to see if endometriosis is present.

Internal ultrasound scans do not usually detect it if it is present. It’s usually diagnosed via laparoscopy which is keyhole surgery.

Fibroids and ovarian cysts can also cause mid-cycle aches.
I don't have heavy periods as a rule with my endo. My pain is very different though, but everyone is very different as it depends on where the endo is and which nerves are affected. Mine revolve around pelvic area, bladder and Bowel, but also my right leg.
You won't really know until you're opened up.

Hi Op, I have similar. My periods became heavier and very painful 3-4 years ago, I have to take double doses of ibuprofen or I'm in agony. GP offered Tranexamic acid (sp?) and Ponsten Forte, and she recommended contraceptives. I find doubling ibuprofen more effective than the prescribed medication (and much cheaper than paying two prescription charges).

I tried Evra, but didn't get on with it as it interacts with another medication I am on. When I did have periods they were supposed to be lighter but they weren't. I had a poloposcopy following a smear (which came back normal) and when I mentioned my symptoms to the gynocologist at the hospital she recommended I get a Mirena coil, and that my GP probably wouldn't refer me for gynocology 'because of my age'. I'm 35, so not sure what she meant by that. Maybe that I've already had children and not TTC? But I had a coil in the past and my body rejected it, so I am not a good candidate for one.

But now I'm getting strong cramping for a day or two around ovulation, these are as strong as period cramps. I am also getting cramping after sex (but no pain during sex). If it was just once a month I would deal with it, but to now be in pain at ovulation too is a lot to deal with.

I have a lot of extra weight around my stomach too, and I wonder if this could partly be down to fibroids? I am very active but just can not lose the weight. I have had blood test to rule out underactive thyroid which came back normal.

Google points to fibroids, polyps or endometriosis. I've sent another GP consultation in today requesting a referral, so hoping I can finally get some answers, but it seems like it isn't something they are keen to investigate?