Endometriosis?!
Question: I am 19 and have had my period for 6 years now. Over the past couple years and more recently, the pains I have been getting with my period has been so painful that it wakes me up in the night and I can't sleep for the pain really is too much. It never used to be like this and I'm really scared of having endometriosis. My auntie has it and because of it, was unable to have children. My period was also so late this month (2 weeks) that this is the most pain I've been in yet! Even painkillers which usually numb the pain aren't working properly. I would like to know
1. Is it hereditory? and 2. If I was to go to a doctor, is there a way in which they check to see if I have endomitriosis and is there anything they can do to help?
thanks for your time
Answers: I am 19 and have had my period for 6 years now. Over the past couple years and more recently, the pains I have been getting with my period has been so painful that it wakes me up in the night and I can't sleep for the pain really is too much. It never used to be like this and I'm really scared of having endometriosis. My auntie has it and because of it, was unable to have children. My period was also so late this month (2 weeks) that this is the most pain I've been in yet! Even painkillers which usually numb the pain aren't working properly. I would like to know
1. Is it hereditory? and 2. If I was to go to a doctor, is there a way in which they check to see if I have endomitriosis and is there anything they can do to help?
thanks for your time
I'm sorry you are in so much pain.
Yes, endo does seem to have a genetic factor. Women with relatives with it are more likely to have it themselves.
If you go to the doctor, they will likely try different types of birth control to see if the pain improves, give you pain medication, and watch you for awhile. Basically, though, a doctor can only really tell if it's endo by doing a surgery called laparoscopy, in which they make a small incision by your belly button and put a small camera in your pelvis. Endo can't be seen by ultrasound or CAT scans or X-rays, so looking directly in there is the only way they can tell right now.
I'm scheduled to have one in a couple weeks to find out whether I have endo myself, and it's an out-patient procedure. Just a couple hours, a little scar, and I'll know.
And to quell your fears-- lots of people with endo have babies. It might just be more difficult, but it isn't an impossibility, so don't be too worried.
As for treatment, mostly it's surgery, birth control, a weird drug called Lupron, and sometimes pregnancy itself helps. Regardless, I won't lie and say it isn't serious. If you have it, you have it until menopause or loss of your ovaries, but it can definitely be controlled.
Try looking at http://www.endometriosisassn.org/
or http://www.endometriosis.org/ if you have other questions. I found a lot there.
Endo isn't the only reason you might have pain. I would strongly suggest going to your doctor and explaining everything you've said here. Don't give up until you find out why you are having pain.
You may even have Polycystic Ovary Disease.
Go to see your GP tell them your family history how your effected,
You should ask to be refered to see a gynaecologist and then you will get tests and scans done to see whats going on.
Good luck.
?Midnight~Angel?
Go to the doctor and complain like mad. I suffered for far too long with British doctors. Demand tests, pain like that isn't normal. I have endo and recently had surgery (abroad) to remove the tissue. My life couldn't be better at the moment, pain free periods, which I have haven't had for well over 12 years.
British doctors tend to fob you off with pain killers and contraceptive pills rather than tests to get to the root of the problem. If the pain is that bad, go to A&E.
Also, here in Spain, I was diagnosed through MRI scans and had the laparoscopy to remove the tiissue that they found on the scan but I think it's usual in the UK to have a diagnostic laparoscopy. The surgery isn't bad at all, my scars are tiny and the pain was nothing (compared to the periods!!)
I think ,you should visit doctor ,get the dianosis done.and take the treatment..after diagnosis you may want to check for alternative treatments
Yes it could be Endo. I have endometriosis and was diagnosed with it at age 29 after years of feeling tired, painful sex, etc. They only realised what was wrong after I started bleeding from my belly button. I had a laproscopy done so they could see what was happening. If they were able to clear the endometriosis at the time through diathermy then they will but with me they couldn't because its located on my bladder. My periods felt as though I had Freddie Krueger was trying to rip through my stomach. They gave me the pill Cileste to keep the Endo under control but to be honest I feel much better with less pain when not taking the pill. Go and make sure the doctor takes you seriously and looks into it. If left it will become worse.