How do I get a laparoscopy to confirm endometriosis?

[catsareheroes]

I have suffered with menstrual problems since my last teens. I'm now in my 30s. I bleed 2/3 weeks out of 4, bad period pain, ovulation pain, aching legs, headaches, bloating etc etc.

Smears are fine, I've had blood tests and STI checks. Transvaginal scan showed a fibroid. Gyno felt my tummy a few years ago and couldn't feel any cysts.

I asked about endo but gyno brushed it off. They said the only way to know is surgery and it doesn't cure it so why would I want to subject myself.

The GP recommends the coil to manage symptoms. AIBU to think it's endometriosis and to want to know what's wrong with me?

I hate to think this will be my life for another 25ish years.

if gynae have discharged you the gp would have to re refer you. God knows how you actually get them to agree to investigations though!
I had horrendous periods for decades. Didn’t get very far with gynae. It was only when I was unable to leave the house due to the flooding & the pain making me vomit (I was missing work days each months ) over a period of several months that they agreed to laparoscopy to investigate. I’d been under gynae 5 years at that point trying all their suggestions to ease my symptoms.
They said there was no Endometriosis.
The lab report after my hysterectomy confirmed I did have endometriosis.
Awful treatment. If men suffered like this they wouldn’t have to wait so long for investigations & treatment.

Have they removed the fibroid?

I have endo and pcos. I thankfully got diagnosed in my late teens as I had a few cysts burst so they operated.

However he's right it's not curable! I've had around 12 surgeries in the last 15 years or so.
I had a coil fitted then they found a fibroid - I actually said I want a general to remove it and not local! Which they did and fitted another new coil and also removed some more etc

Can you ask them to remove the fibroid under a general? They can then have a look around and see etc. can also have a coil fitted pain free too!

Well u could try the coil or other contraceptives? If gp dont want to help - go to sexual clinic. As theyve said lap its only to diagnose it will not cure unfortunately... so even if u end up having lap then theyll again push for the coil..and its long long wait to have one too...meanwhile you need to stop this bleeding somehow at least , have u tried anything? X

I’ve just been told that I have endometriosis at the age of almost 51!

I have also suffered from gynae issues since my teens, all the symptoms you describe and the worst part is that I’ve been under gynae since 1998 and have had endless tests and procedures but no gynaecologist had ever suggested endo to me even after I told them my sister was diagnosed late, at the age of 44.

If something doesn’t feel right to you push for re-referral, don’t leave it to suffer as long as I (and many other women have). I am so very angry that women’s health problems, in particular gynae issues, are not taken seriously enough. Apparently, endometriosis is one of the most underdiagnosed health conditions.

Sorry, can't advise on getting the confirmation, but if you are sure, you can take action yourself to minimise the symptoms by adapting your diet and taking supplements.

Best of luck.