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What it Really Means to Have Endometriosis

“In reality, this disease can be like having tens or hundreds of excruciatingly painful blisters covering the inside of the pelvis.”

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Endometriosis by definition is a disease process whereby tissue somewhat like the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) exists outside the uterus. This “rogue” endometrial-like tissue most commonly involves the peritoneum, a thin layer of tissue that lines the pelvic structures, the bowel, the bladder and the ovaries. Quite frankly a lot of this medical stuff can be quite dry and boring and does not convey what it is like for a woman to have this disease and how it truly impacts her life, her family, her career, her sex life, and her ability to live her life in very basic ways.

Patients with endometriosis can experience horrific pain – for the lucky ones it lasts just a couple of days during their period, and in the worst cases the pain is 24/7. The dichotomy between the way women with endometriosis look well on the outside but are experiencing excruciating pain internally can cause even well-meaning people to doubt the severity of their pain.

Most women begin to have pain in their teenage years, sometimes even starting in junior high school. While similar in timing, this pain is completely different than normal menstrual cramps. It is not uncommon for these girls to miss a couple of days of school each month from cyclic pain that can exceed the level of pain patients experience after major surgery.

A lack of awareness of this disease can leave these girls without a correct diagnosis and support from their physicians. This can lead to a lack of appropriate treatment for the pain and invalidation of the patient’s situation. Her family is now led to believe that psychological issues drive the severity of her pain.

In this tragic situation, she is effectively held prisoner and tortured by her own body in broad daylight, with no one who fully understands her situation or who can effectively help her.

Download the full “What it Really Means to have Endometriosis” PDF guide to share with friends and family.

In this tragic situation, she is effectively held prisoner and tortured by her own body in broad daylight, with no one who fully understands her situation or who can effectively help her.

The symptoms usually progress as she matures into a young woman. Both the severity and duration of the pain typically increase. Initially, most days each month are pain-free, but the number of these days slowly decreases until there are a greater number of non-functioning pain days. The unpredictability of the increasing number of pain days makes it challenging to maintain a functional life. It becomes increasingly difficult to make plans for a future date as it becomes more likely that it will be a pain day and she will not be able to follow through on her commitment for the activity.

As a disease, endometriosis can take away many additional aspects of a normal life. Mothers cannot reliably meet the needs of their children when the pain is too severe to function. Wives try to push through the pain to be intimate with their husbands, but eventually, the pain becomes too intense to continue. Grinding fatigue as severe as that experienced with advanced cancer is present in most cases. Bloating, moodiness, and bladder and bowel issues are common as well.

Feeling like a vibrant desirable woman is long since gone. Acting like the loving compassionate woman, mother and partner that she truly is becomes more and more difficult. The stress on family relationships is common and real.

Even at this stage, most women fight the disease, refusing to let it completely take over their life. You would most likely pass right by them in public, having no idea of the devastation they are dealing with. Most of the time they get up, put on a brave face and do their best to live a normal life.

The medical definition of endometriosis does not even begin to describe the reality of what it means to have endometriosis. The next time you hear about endometriosis, please remember how devastating this disease can be to a person. While endometriosis can be frustrating, if you have a loved one, friend or co-worker who suffers from endometriosis, please remember to treat them with respect and compassion.

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  1. Hi,

    I have had many issues with pelvic pain since I was in highschool. I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts, but the doctor assured me they would resolve on their own and there was no need to worry. Fast foward a few years later and I still had almost constant pain, which worsened around my period. My doctor suggested I see a specialist as he thought it may be endometriosis. After about a year waiting for the specialist appointment I was more than eager to find out forsure what was going on. To my dissappointment the doctor immediately gave me progesterone pills and that was that. I was so deflated at that point I didn’t ask all the questions I wanted answered. Sorry for the novel, I suppose my real question for you is, is it wrong of me to want a laproscopy? I was afraid to mention this to the specialiat becuase he seemed very dismissive, but I want to know forsure if I have a time limit on having kids, or if I even have a chance…

    Thanks for your time, I hope to hear from you.

    Kate

    1. Hi Kate,
      You are welcome to call our office at 408-358-2511 if you would like to chat about your case or have a complimentary record review. Certainly with pelvic pain a laparoscopy is in order, to find or rule out endometriosis or possible other causes of your pain. A good case review would also help. Please feel free to call if we can help you. Thank you for your post. Margaret

      1. Hello I am 15 and have been dealing with end since i was 13 and i was wondering of there is an effective way to help deal with the excruciating pain?

        1. For me, and many others with endo, we have found that a change of diet and lifestyle can minimize symptoms or make them disappear altogether including shrinking endo lesions and cysts. If you’re interested, the ‘endo diet’ is a good place to start, but the advice of Medical Medium Anthony William will take you a lot further.

    2. As the husband of a young woman who has been through 6 or 7 or 8 laparoscopies, including one to remove her uterus at age 25, I can tell you that this person is not a specialist if he is being dismissive to you. I would find someone different if they are not meeting your physical and emotional needs. Good luck and God bless you. I may not have to feel the pain myself, but I have to witness my wife’s daily struggle, including intense endo pain less than a week after having another successful laparoscopy to remove endometriosis growths. The strength of the women who suffer from this is amazing. God bless you all.

    3. I just wanted to say that reading over this brought tears to my eyes. I was only properly diagnosed with endometriosis this year, at the age of 23. I have been dealing with debilitating pain since I was 15, and had to leave school on the first day because I was in so much pain, I couldn’t see straight.

      It’s terrible that this isn’t a better known and talked about issue. Many women deal with it, without even knowing what is happening to them. Even now, I’m sitting at my desk and work, and working through the pain because I have to.

      This issue has caused my to lose jobs in the past, because I didn’t know what was wrong with me, and would call in when it flared up. For me, personally, it has caused irregular periods (sometimes I have them every two weeks), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, exhaustion, and weight loss from the inability to eat properly when these symptoms effect me.

      My job thinks I call in because I don’t want to be at work, and because physically I look fine, they think I’m lying if I ask to go home when it becomes too much. Ibuprofen generally does NOT help, but they say things like, “Well if you’re just going to sit at home doing nothing, why don’t you just sit at work, making money?”

      That’s only because they don’t understand how hard it is to stay awake and sitting upright, when all you want to do is curl up under warm blankets and sleep until I can’t feel it anymore.

      If there’s anything we can do, maybe work seminars or even bringing it up in schools, it would be amazing. I had no idea about this disease until I was diagnosed with it, and had been living with all my friends and family thinking I was a liar for years. That can be even more painful than the disease itself.

      1. Yes! I absolutely agree more light needs to be focused on Endometriosis. It’s a horrible, painful experience that can come at any time of day- clear out of the blue! You are exactly right how you just want to be at home under a warm blanket with warm compresses sleeping until no
        More pain! General public needs to be more aware of this problem and enlightened on how endometriosis patients are feeling!

      2. Mario, your wife is lucky to have you. Thank you for caring! Cassandra, your post in December was just right on target. This invisible disease causes us to even doubt ourselves & believe we must be doing something wrong & that, therefore, we can fix it. But nothing seems to work; others invalidate us, & life feels more like a prison. One week we can feel normal, the next we’re lying in a bed, having quite suddenly become ‘inexplicably’ exhausted. At the same time our appetites have disappeared! Eating becomes a huge chore & we wonder how we suddenly became an invalid drinking Ensure (until we realize the soy might make things worse — “what the heck am I going to eat now?!”) When will we feel normal again, is the question on our minds. It’s infuriating to be lectured by others (such as some men who should be cursed with cramps every time they are arrogant – ha ha) who have never known such a lack of control in a cultural that values control over most everything.

      3. Wow everything I am going threw right now. Glad someone out there can relate to what I’m going threw!

      4. What you said is exactly what I’ve been dealing with since I was 14 and I’m 21 almost 22 now. Nobody understand and I’ve been through the same things as you. Loosing jobs, leaving school, people think ” it’s regualr period pain ” when really it’s not. People really do need to be aware of this disease and specialist need to help you in whatever way they can to your standards. I’ve recently just gotten off of Lutera ( Birth Control ) because the GYNO suggested it since I want to get pregnant but I would have rather went through the surgery knowing that there’s more of a chance of me conceiving. Now I feel like I’m just going to be waiting for nothing. Honestly breaks my heart how bad this disease effects women.

        1. hey Ciara i read your story and i am feeling just the same as you felt…i really wanted to know if endometriosis affects fertility from your experience ..Your answer would really help
          thanks in advance

      5. Thank you Cassandra ❤️❤️ I think you have spoken for all who have endoMEtriosUS. Let’s spread the word about we who suffer. You who read this: go to the headmaster/principle of your school. Go to your boss. Tell them!! Any human with a BEATING heart in their chest will most certainly understand. Let’s spread awareness. For those of you who have this horrible but common and excruciating disease and social media, spread this hashtag, and someone start and account and then spread the word about both of these: #endoMEtriosUS @endoMEtriosUSawareness

        Love,
        Hallie❤️ 16 who has endoMEtriosUS

        PS: please read my last comment❤️

    4. So not wrong of you. I have the exact same history and I’m in the same boat. I’ve tried all the bc pills and even the progesterone shot … which induced a 7month- long active period (led to anemia), infeculitis, chronic yeast infections, UTIs, kidney infections, and 2 kidney stones.
      That was in TX

      FF»» now I live in Boulder Colorado and am meeting with my 3rd doctor here (7th total) Tuesday to schedule a laproscopy . I’m convinced it’ll be worth knowing for sure.

      Rachel, 20

    5. Hi Kate! My name is Hallie. I would just like to tell you of the old saying. “It is better to be safe than to be sorry.” You should DEFINITELY get a laposcopy. It is illegal for the doctor to deny you of this test, as it is a disease that is not visible outside of the body. This test is the only way to tell whether or not you have endometriosis. Btw, I am not just an observer of this disease. My aunt Ashley (had 3 miscarraiges) and aunt Mindy, also my mother (had a hysterectomy removing both ovaries ít was so bad, the doctor said it was the worst he had ever seen–at 23) and grandmother (1 ovary removed at 19), and my 2 cousins (who are sisters– had hysterectomies) Erica and Melissa, and great grandmother who had a hysterectomy when she was 17 and she had one ovary removed. Me and my sister have this disease as well. It is horrible- I feel all of your pain. Btw if you counted that makes at least 8 other ladies in my family (instant family I didn’t count 2nd cousins great aunts and such but I have a lot of them that have it. It runs horribly in our family).

      Love you all who suffer. #endoMEtriosis #fightingtogether #sendinglove #peopleneedto #stopthinkingwere #exaggerating

      Love you guys.
      Hallie, 16 and has endoMEtriosis

    6. I’m 11 and I have been dealing with pain for as long as I can remember I don’t know what I have my aunt suggested this I hate it because at night I may have a party or something fun but I have to miss it because I am in pain and I have not even hit my period yet and got a Colenascipy but they say I’m fine but it just gets worse it is like every time something good happen it knows so it hurts me

    7. Hi Kate,
      Always trust your gut instincts. Doing so has saved my life. Long story short I was dismissed by my thyroid specialist when I complained of a lump in my throat, he even rolled his eyes at me in the visit and told me "let's wait till your 4 month review for a scan, you must have a cold!". Because I felt so bad for so long and had waited 8 months for this initial visit I refused to leave his office without my referral for a scan. Fast forward through my scan, then biopsy and surgery to have my whole thyroid removed with said "suspicious lump w/ a 50% chance of being cancer according to the biopsy reaults". The morning after my surgery my surgeon came in with a huge smile on her face. She looked high was so thrilled. She told me they caught it just in time. That taking the nodule out that day prior saved me from thyroid cancer; that she had never seen cells so similiar to cancer that were not cancer yet. She is the chief of surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington and the best of the best. Her name is Dr. Zern you can look her up for proof. Listen to your body. Push for each and every test. Peace of mind is everything and if you sense something is wrong it is. But I also believe in the miraculous power of the law of attraction and manifesting healing. I believe mine wasn't cancer bc between the biopsy results and surgery I refused to own the scary results as mine. Namaste, Joy

  2. I love looking at your websites. Appreciate it!

  3. I am just wondering. I had a hysterectomy about 15 years ago due to endometriosis. The Dr. left one of my ovaries. I had my gall bladder removed 2 years ago. I have been having severe pain under my sternum in the middle of my abdomen for months that has spread to the left side of my abdomen. I have had every test there is for the stomach, heart, and all other organs in my body but all have come back negative. I was wondering. Can endomotrios still be in my body? Where I hurt? Do you have any advice?

    1. Hi Kim, I am sorry you are having pelvic pain … many surgical techniques vary, so it is possible that endo was missed or perhaps burned instead of being excised. Perhaps you should see a specialist or consult with our office, as we do complimentary phone or internet consults for those interested. Margaret

      1. I’m 23 and was never fully diagnosed with endometriosis, was just told i have ovarian cysts. I’ve noticed more lately that I’m spending more time curled up in fetal position crying due to pain. How would you recommend going about getting it fully checked? I mean it’s getting so painful that it hurts my pelvis, groin and even the upper part of my legs. I’ve been dealing with this since I was about 13 and the doctor has never done any thing more than just an ultrasound and said oh you just have cysts, it’s no big deal. I know endometriosis and pcos run in my family along with ovarian and uterine cancers. I’m just looking for advise on what I should do.

    2. Hi Kim

      These symptoms are exactly what I had prior to my first endo excision surgery! See a gynaecologist – it most certainly could still be endometriosis

    3. Yes. It is endometriosis again. I am in the same boat as you… I had my partial hysterectomy 11 years ago and guess what I am going thru again… I went to a gyno and she told me that I would now have to have my ovaries taken out or be put on BC to control it… BC really?!?!? Just take them out.

    4. Yes, it can come back. They need to do a full hysterectomy to get rid of the endometrosis. That’s what my doctor told me. So I’m scheduled for a full hysterectomy this next month.

    5. Yes. EndoMEtriosUS can be in both of your ovaries, in one single ovary, or be in one and transition to the other ovary after it is removed from the overy. I am not a professional but I would suggest a laposcopy. EndoMEtriosUS is serious and I know the struggle. PS: be aware that getting your last ovary removed will stop you from ever having children again.

      Hallie ❤️❤️ A 16 year old survivor of endoMEtriosUS.

  4. Hello, I have been sick for two years now and finally had surgery in March of this year for Endometriosis diagnosis and and ovarian cyst removal from my left ovary. The ob/gyn found and excised 3 spots of endo and lasered 3 that were in hard to reach places. He removed a large cyst from my left ovary and said I had 2 stalks growing on my fallopian tube which had cyst on them as well and he also removed them. I have such problems with my bladder and bowels and I still don’t know if the places he burned off were on my organs because he never would tell me. He performed a Cystoscopy which leads me to believe it was taken off my bladder. I have never recovered from the surgery to date! I was admitted to the hospital upon my post op check up because of all my pain. I had a catscan with contrast while in the hospital and before being discharged he told me that I had just let the pain get away from me? That’s all! Then the same restrictions as when I had the surgery, light activity and no heavy lifting! The pain has never left. I’m the same as before surgery but 10 times worse because now I think I have a pelvic prolaspe which landed me in the emergency room There I found out that I not only more than likely had a prolapse but I now have Colitis and my Pancreatic enzymes are extremely elevated. They did a Catscan and a Transvaginal Ultrasound , the ER dr said that the TV wand can push the prolapse back up but it can come back down. Is that true? I am now due to see a different gyno and I have to go to the gastroenterenologist . Could my Endo be back already? Plus my Uterus was enlarged. I know it’s alot, sorry I’m just so sick. I’ve lost 18 more pounds since surgery and I didn’t have a period in March, then a 2 day one in April then 3 days of breakthrough spotting the next week.

    1. Oh can I so relate to you, Kimberley. The surgeon I saw eventually dismissed me and was disrespectful to me, because she didn’t know what to do. She performed surgery but didn’t remove anything, because she “couldn’t see anything.” That means she had no idea what to look for. After my last surgery in January, 2005, I lost twenty pounds possibly more. No doctor could figure out why. The pathology from this surgery finally revealed endometriosis on my appendiceal fat and a carcinoid cancer as well.

      I know I need another laparoscopy and excision but am terrified to go under the knife again. Also the majority of the endo surgeons where I live don’t accept insurance, and I cannot afford to pay out of pocket.

      Yes, your endo could definitely be back. It is a horrific disease. I only pray for a cure.

  5. For four years ive been suffering with tummy cramp and had lots of test and scans, the doctor told me it was actually IBS. Each period the pain would get worse but I just kept putting it off. Christmas 2014 I had pain in my back, tummy, groin and down my leg, I went to a walk in centre and they referred me for an ultrasound, they found I had 3 cyst 2 measuring 4cm and one measuring 7.5cm, since then k have been in and out of hospital several times and been for several tests, ive now been told I also have endomtriosis, it’s taking over my everyday life, im in hospital every other week in absolute agony, im in constant pain 24/7 and I feel as tho the hospital isn’t doing anything to rush the procedure up. I’m now waiting on an MRI to see how bad the endomtriosis is and what it’s effecting. Im taking lots of pain killers, tramadol, morphine patches, codeine etc.. Nothing helps ease the pain and I just don’t know what to do anymore, ive looked at going private but it’s going to cost thousands of pounds. any advice will be so grateful.

    1. Im in the same boat i currently have pain in my tummy and im bloated and feel unwell… its awful.im.waitung surgery also:(

  6. I had my right ovary removed 4 years ago and a hysterectomy 3 years ago. At the beginning I felt great! I had energy! I was actually able to function all day without being tired and the pain went away. Today I get minimal pain, I believe its when I should be on my period but I have a few months feeling very tired and sluggish. I am unsure if I should blame it on the hormones or the endometriosis. Would you have any advice for me? I feel it is slowly taking over again. 🙁

  7. Hello.
    I really enjoy how this article is written. It feels as though while reading it, we’re connecting – as though it was a verbal conversation, rather than a website talking towards you.

    I’ve had every test done “under the moon” to figure out what my abdominal pain, which seems to be worse with dysmenorrhea, may be – excluding a laparoscopy which I’m on a waiting list for.

    I was told it could be IBS but I was never going to accept that & I know it’s more than that.

    SO, my questions are:
    – Can ovarian cysts disappear and come back as they wish with NO signs of them being there “in between” and what is the best way to find them?

    – Can endometriosis come and leave and leave no signs of it ever being there?

    Thank you so much and my apologies for the long message.
    Please email back as soon as possible.

    1. There are different kinds of ovarian cysts, and yes some can come and go.

  8. Hi Everyone,
    Thanks for the article confirming that my tiredness isn’t just a mental thing. I am from South Africa. Reading all your comments makes me feel blessed to have the gynae I do. At 19, my GP referred me to my current gynae, who immediately recognised the symptoms. I had my first scrape and removal of cysts then. After 2 healthy babies(surprisingly!) I had a hysterectomy at 30, leaving my ovaries in place. I had 5 great, almost pain-free years. Then pain started creeping back. I was getting more and more fatigued. I blamed it on being overworked, getting divorced, having moved. Then recently, during intercourse, it felt like someone had punched me in the stomach, HARD. I consulted a new GP, but it was brushed off. So I went to my old (almost retired) GP. He sent me for a sonar, and the doc there referred me for a CT scan. All this proved the endo and cysts are back with a vengeance. I am 37. It feels like I cannot sleep enough, have constant back pain and pain in my side. Sex is painful. Thankfully, I have visited my same gynae of 18 years. I’ll be having laporoscopic removal of the cysts, the scarring, the endo, and an oopherectomy in 10 days. I am not too happy about losing my ovaries, but if the pain and tiredness will leave my body, I will be in a much better place. Thanks again for the to-the-point article- i’ll be sharing it with my partner so he can understand better what i’m going through xx

  9. Hi i am 40 years of age and my periods are getting worse every month my legs ache i am such an nightmare to live with.. i know this myself, i feel sorry for my partner and kids that they have to put up with me like this, i suffer great pain every month and cry a lot i have been to the doctors and she said my progesterone levels were down and i was taking progesterne tablets but they made me violently sick and gave ne dioreah i just dont know what i can do now

    1. Please visit the website at vitalhealth.com … or call the office at 408-358-2511 if we can assist.

  10. Thank you so much for this article. It really means the world to me right now. I’m 24 and ever since I was about 13 I’ve always struggled with heavy and very painful periods. When I was 17 I went to three different Gynos all who said I had no signs of endometriosis and sent me on my way saying here’s 800 mg ibprophen, it’s just cramps. From that day on I felt stupid like maybe I made up how bad and extreme my period was. And that I was being a baby and this was just a part of life. Every month it was painful and I would count the days till the next and just dread what was coming.

    Then back in December 6 months ago I was doubled over on my floor for 3 days extreme pain in my stomach, diarrhea first two days and throwing up that I stopped eating and drinking. The pain settled down and tried to go to the gym drank some water threw it back up and was doubled over again in so much pain. Went into er and 7 hours later after 5 doctors an obgyn discovered my ovary was covered in 5 endometrial cyst and swelled to the size of a coconut twisted in my intestine and blocked off my intestine. Had emergency surgery removed my right ovary. And Fallopian tube and scrapped off what they could of the scar tissue and endometriosis. The next day doctor said I was good to go and see me in a year. I was nervous but trusted him

    5 months after this surgery I was still a mess and periods were just as bad as always so I made another appointment with him to find out further things to help my pain . He suggested an iud I got a Pap smear before I could get the iud it came back abnormal so did a biopsy came back high squamous cells cin2, set up an appointment to get LEEP procedure and one week before that apointment same thing happened I was doubled over 2 am on the verge of passing out extreme pain and diarrhea and was taken into er. 5 hours later find out another emergency surgery is needed. In surgery he found and removed 6 in of my bowel that was closed off twisted and was completely covered in scar tissue and mass amount of endometriosis.

    This is my story so far I’m now finding a new Gyno who will hopefully listen and stop taking endometriosis so lightly. If there is anything I can tell whoever is reading this please don’t take your health lightly if your in pain , keep pushing and make it known and if your doctor brushes it off like it’s not a big deal please find a new doctor. Endometriosis is serious and not many people will ever understand what it’s really like. Just like this article says

    1. Thank you, Jessica, for sharing your story. The burden this disease places on women is heartbreaking.

    2. Hello Jessica. Your symptoms sound a lot like mine. A couple years ago I had all the same stomach problems and had no clue I had endometriosis. I was rushed to the emergency room 3 different times and had every test possible performed and everything was normal. After my third colonoscopy, they removed what they thought was a polyp and ended up being endo inside my colon. I thought my period cramps were painful but all women experience them so I never complained. After being diagnosed, I started birth control pills but they didn’t help and I was still experiencing cramping and diarrhea all the time. About 9 months after, I had a fourth colonoscopy and laparoscopy. The colonoscopy came back normal with no endo this time. The laparoscopy came back with a small amount of endo they removed. After surgery, I went on the Lupron shots for a year. The lupron wasn’t bad for me. I had minimal pain, no periods and hardly any diarrhea flare ups. I did get some of the side effects; hot flashes, vaginal dryness and lower sex drive but it was worth it to have very little pain. After the year of lupron shots, I had the Mirena iud inserted. It was great for about 9 months and then I started to get excruciating pelvic and lower back pain, gained about 20lbs and have terrible mood swings. I can’t even exercise or have intercourse because it causes the pain to get worse. I’m thinking the iud might be the problem even though the doctor doesn’t think so. I have an appointment to get it removed so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. If that doesn’t help, my doctor wants to perform another laparoscopy which I’m trying to avoid. If you haven’t done so already, I’d think twice about the iud. Several people have said they’ve had the same side effects I did. Unfortunately, I do believe we have to stay on some kind of hormone therapy to keep this disease in check. I totally understand your pain and wish other people would also.

  11. Hi I just want to thank you for the info , I was diagnosed with endo last year August and recently got some sad news that it is back again , and we are struggling to get pregnant. I hade all the procedures to remove it I also had a cyst removed. I’ve been on all kinds of treatments for the endo and for fertility and its very hard , almost like one just want to give up , but when I read all the stories I sometimes get so encourage to go on again, im only 30 this year and really want a baby before I have to go the route if having a hysterectomy cause that might be my last option. im going in soon again to remove some more endo ,unless we fall pregnant this month, we going under again . just wanted to share . Good luck to all the ladies going trough this its not easy.

  12. Im 26 years from South Africa and have had painful and heavy periods ever since i started. 2 yearz ago i had so much pain that sometimes i cudnt move. Went to a Gynae who said i had ovarian cysts and would inject me everytym i went to him. What i noticed is that the pain would be back every month. I changed the doctor and this one first gave me Fermodene and it helped 4 abt 3 months. Ryt nw im on Visanne and stil feel the pain. Help plz!

  13. Hi there, During surgery, do doctors remove all or only some of the endometriosis. I hear that only a few doctors in the U.S. remove all of it (which is most effective).

    Thank you,
    Liz

    1. Hi Liz,
      Thank you for your question …
      Effective treatment is complete removal of all endometriosis implants via excision surgery.
      Removal of all of the disease is important, but method of removal is critical. Fulguration,
      Cauterization, or burning techniques do not result in complete removal of the disease.

  14. Hi all! I was 15 when I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts. I had a laparoscopy done and the Dr told my mom it happened because I was fat. His exact words. Flash forward to 16, I had a grapefruit size cyst on my left ovary. I was in the hospital getting prepped for surgery when it burst. I was cut hip to hip. Now this Dr told my mom that if I had any more pain, it was all in my head. At 19 I had another laparoscopy. Still no relief from the pain. I got married at 22, for 7 years we tried to get pregnant. At 29 I had to have a total hysterectomy. Endometriosis had taken over everything. That was 14 years ago. I’m on hrt. The hot flashes are the worst. I still have cramping. I was in a deep depression until I reached 40. No mini me running around the house. I gained 75 lbs in those 14 years. This year is my year. I’m taking back my life. I’ve lost 45 lbs. Still a long way to go but I’ll get there. I’m seeing a gi Dr soon to see if that’s where the pain is coming from.
    Just thought I’d share a bit of my story.
    -Christy

    1. Wow well done. You’ve really been through it. Your a tough cookie xx

  15. I was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 18. I have had 2 laporoscopys removing the lesions by laser and went on to have 2 children. The pain returned and became more aggressive. My gynaecologist advised me to try the Mirena coil which I did – this didn’t work for me, I started getting pains over a 3 week period and severe back pains (was taken into hospital as they thought it may be my kidneys-I knew it wasn’t because the pain was cyclic with my period).
    As a process of elimination to find out what the back pains were I was advised again by my gynaecologist to have the Zoledex injection to induce menopause. Yes the pain subsided but I became so ill with severe migraines from the side effects, I only lasted 2 injections. The plan was to have another laparoscopy – the plan fell through as the surgeons advised there would be complications with the surgery (due to 2 previous laparoscopies I developed an umbilical hernia and now have mesh over my umbilicus).
    I was offered pain management and left to suffer. The pain is becoming worse, periods getting heavier, migraines returning and I have cyclic hip and back pain including sciatica.
    My children and partner are suffering too, I have days where I can’t put on a brave face and carry on and end up crying in agony. I feel as if no one understands what I have to deal with.
    My partner tells me I need to go to hospital but I know they won’t do anything. If I didn’t want another child I would opt for a full hysterectomy.
    It is such a debilitating disease that’s not acknowledged as much as it should.

    1. Hi Katie,

      Your symptoms sound very similar to mine. I also seem to get cyclical back pain in the left side that travels up into my hip and down my leg. The pain builds before my period (I too was crying with it last week) and then as soon as I come on that pain dies down and is replaced with my “usual” cramping and burning womb/ovary pain. Once my period is over my back feels better but then the pain starts building and the cycle starts again. Sometimes this coincides with urine infections, random bleeding, weird electric shock feelings across my stomach, constipation, migraines…

      I’ve recently had a consultation and I’ve been booked in for a lap on 8th March. My consultant wants to rule out endo as he doesn’t think I have it (his main reason is that I don’t have pain during sex, but I’ve met a few endo sufferers who haven’t got this symptom either!), so I guess they won’t know until they go in.

      I got an initial diagnosis of endo when I was 19 but my doctor at the time didn’t want to operate on me so he put me on the pill, which I came off after 10 years because I hated it. I’m 33 now and perhaps I’ve put the lap off for too long! Very, very nervous about it but I suppose it’s the only way to know what’s going on.

      Hope things have improved for you over the last few months xxx