Endo?

[OchAyeTheN00]

This is the first time I’ve considered this so apologies for a lot of info.

back in 2019 I started struggling with bloating and abdominal pain. I was subsequently diagnosed with hypercalcaemia which can cause constipation, bloating etc so assumed it was that. It got worse on the first couple of days of my period, always. Had surgery which cured my hypercalcaemia, gastro symptoms continued. Cut out gluten, it improved day to day but still had issues most periods.

also intermittent pelvic cramping outside of menstrual cycle. Ultrasounds (3) all normal.

also since around this time, I started suffering with spotting before my period. Sometimes up
to 5 days before my period, usually brown / dark.

forward to present day. Back in August I started suffering with left sided abdominal pain most of the time. Assumed it was gas. But noticed when my period started that I only ever got pain on the left side and it’s tender to the touch. It’s painful to walk, if I don’t move I’m ok. I always assumed it was trapped gas. If I try to move I’m in pain, like moaning out loud, clutching my left ovary area pain, whimpering and being a general baby. After a day or two of my period, it goes. It feels like I say, tender, like a really strong stitch. It doesn’t feel like period cramps.

It Google tells me trapped wind shouldn’t hurt to the touch and neither should period pain.

so I’m just wondering if this sounds like potentially endo? My GI tests have come back normal, bloods normal etc

Ive had a pelvic Ct, all normal too.

Yes I had a urine test yesterday and it was clear. I have UTIs frequently so I knew it wasn’t that.

I am so much better this evening. Haven’t even thought about the pain. But yesterday morning I couldn’t walk without limping. It is so bizarre.

Sometimes I wonder if the follicle that has released the egg takes a while to sort of deflate (iyswim) once the period starts. Anyway, I'm glad the pain is gone for now and you have a plan of action.

Surely that follicle should do that after ovulation rather than at period time?!

its still there if I sneeze or press on it but the area of pain is Busch smaller and the level is more of a 1 now bs a 4 at its worst. On day 1 of my period every time I moved I cried out in pain, it seemed so dramatic.

the doctor has written on my notes ?dysmenhorrhea - any female doctor would of course know that period pains are not tender to the touch! He’s also querying endometriosis and a cyst which he has started most likely as I’ve had one in the past but from all of you guys sharing your experiences and my reading I think endo is most likely (sadly). Brutal thing to have

I have copied and pasted the following

Ovulation marks the end of the follicular phase and the beginning of the luteal phase. During the luteal phase, the dominant follicle that released the mature egg changes into a structure called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum produces important pregnancy hormones.

In my understanding, the follicle remains to produce progesterone, until the period starts, when it is then not needed anymore. It makes sense to me that the pain has reduced as the period has progressed.

I'm no medic, but I did work in women's health and have had my own journey. Endo is fairly common, it's treatable but it can cause issues and so the sooner it is diagnosed and treated the better.

Oh that’s interesting! Thank you I’ll do a bit more research.