Conditions
Endometriosis
As if women didn’t have enough trouble to deal with at that ‘that time of the month’, along comes endometriosis. Around 2 million women in the UK suffer from it, and although usually diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40, teenagers can suffer as well. Endometriosis is when cells from the lining of the womb end up elsewhere in the reproductive or digestive system. These cells thicken and bleed just like in the vagina, and on a similar cycle! However, the key problem lies with these cells having no way of leaving the body, therefore causing pain and swelling. Although there is no cure, symptoms can be managed, but if left unchecked there may be difficulty in getting pregnant, and in extreme cases it can lead to organs fusing together. Not nice…
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I have recently had a laparoscopy which showed nothing up, i was admitted to hospital with lower ad pains on my right and nausea. They couldnt find anything and told me i could go home and get referred to a gynaecologist. I spoke to my GP on Friday and she advised that I have to get over the pain from the operation and I also advised her I was due on my period. She advised me to complete the cycle and finish my period because sometimes these things just go away on their own! I feel like i'm going round in circles! I am on my period at the moment and have the normal period pain but i still have this pain in my lower right going right into my groin. You know when something doesn't feel right with your body and I have just gone back to work today but came home early as I was in pain. I feel like the two weeks I spent off work were a complete waste of time and now they have cut me open left me with scars all for no reason? I just want to know if the Laparoscopy is sometimes wrong? Could they have missed something?
I have menstrual bleeding that lasts for months (yes months) at a time. I bleed every day, sometimes its light, but often very heavy with large blood clots/tissue (it looks like bits of raw kidney). I've had two ultrasound scans. The doctors thought it might be a hemoragic cyst, but they said that wouldn't actually explain the bleeding as the blood would be retained inside my body. They now say its not a hemoragic cyst. I'm now going to have an MRI scan as they think I may have a benign tumour on my kidney which is affecting the adrenal gland that regulates your hormones. Any one had simillar?
I'm 20 years old and fit and healthy. Im suffering pain deep iside during sex, it feels as though my cervix is bruised. I;m having irregular bleeding, which varies from being light to quite heavy and appearing to have some tissue in it. I have abdominal pain everyday on and off throughout, which is quite sharp and uncomfortable. Has anyne else been diagnosed with Endometiosis with symptoms like these? I have been to my doctor several times about this but nothing is being done to help me.
hi i'm 27 with two kids.i've recently had blood in my discharge,i do have polysistic ovaries and possible endo.would it be connected to these factor or something else as i do have an aunt die from cervical cancer at the age of 29?
i am 20 years old and ever since i started my periods at the age of 11 i have suffered from very painfull periods i have visited my local doctor but they have not told me exactly what the problem is and i was wondering if there is anything u could tell me about this.
l am 40 now and have been suffering from severe abdominal pain and very heavy periods since l was 16, l have been diagnosed 2years ago having fibroids which according to the gynae they seems very small so no need for surgery but l can feel a massive mass on the left side of my abdomen expecially when my bladder is full in the night it feels very massive, l gone back to my GP but all l have been given is tables to be taken when my period starts, l am worried about this mass because sometimes it is painful walking stright. Any advice please.
Please help, I am 42 years old, have always had normal periods no period pain, for the last 12 months it has been awful, i suffer from very severe pain whilst opening my bowels, the pain runs through my anus up my stomach and i littrally have to breath like in labour and grip the radiator!this pain only happens whilst on my period, i am now also suffering from bad boob pain for 3 weeks of the month, as an active person with two horses who rides alot this pain gets in the way of my life, please help!!
I used to have exactly the same symptoms. I have since had an ovary removed because of severe endo and am soon going to be having a hysterectomy as I too love sport and my stomach pains interfere with that. I am only 32 but have already kids so to me , this is the best option. Good luck
I suffered with terrible period pains from the age of 12, I am now 42, I have had endometriosis since a very young age. All treatments failed so by the age of 30 I had a total hysterectomy TAH with both ovaries removed. I was told that this would cure the disease. I am now 42 and have under gone a further 10 operations to remove severe endo with obstruction of my Ureter ( as a result I suffer with severe IC and frequent / painful urination)unfortunately, endo had affected my life tremendously. I am a classically trained musician but yet to discover a normal working/family life! The pain is dreadful.I have now been diagosed with fibromayalgia ( apparently this has links with Endo)Perhaps I will be able to work in my next life? Is there anyone out there that has suffered so much?
Hiya I am a 32 year old woman and I have very excrutianting pains for the past 5 years, I under went a laparoscopy 3 years ago to be told there was nothing there and that I needed to see a psychiatric nurse as it all in my head, I am unable to have a relationship due to this. I decided to get a second opinion one I had moved and joined another doctors surgery, I explained all my problems, huge blood clots collapsing with the pain and the fact its now effecting my bowel, she put me for another hysterectomy to which they have now found widespread endometriosis and state they couldn't burn it off, they are trying to make me take the injections to which I dont want due to the side effects and for me to have a bit of a quality of life I have asked for a hysterectomy. They are not willing to help me at all and I am so tired of all the pain and fight to try and get what I need. So I can sympathise with what you are going through just wish the nhs would listen and understand what we have and go through and if they arnt willing to help what use are they? i even stated I do not want children and have been told it would be impossible for where the endometriosis is so where is the harm?
i have been suffering with extreme pain in my lower right side for a long time now and i have always suffered with heavy painful periods.i also suffer with ibs and after numerous visits to my doctor and being told it was just my ibs one doctor eventually took me seriously and sent me to a consultant gyni. The pain was totally different to my ibs, it was dull and sore and when extreme it felt like someone was pushing a sword in me. the pain was also in my lower back and in my groin waking me up in my sleep.The consultant fitted me with a mirena coil which i must say was painful to fit. it as been six months now and the pain as not got any better, my periods are lighter but last for up to two weeks, i am due to go back at the beginning of april so will see what the gyni says, in the meantime my body feels like it cant take much more of the pain so i hoping someone will b able to help.
I've just turned 22 and have painful periods from the age of 12. I was diagnosed with endo after a laparoscopy 3 years ago, at the same time the fitted a mirena coil. I have the same symptoms as you and also IBS and periods that last weeks at a time. I have been to the gynae who gave me tablets for the IBS which helped, Unfortunately as with me they will probably tell you that your body is still getting used to the mirena coil as they have told me, if not please let me know!! On the flip side sometimes I can go for 2 months without a period. There's no in between!!
hi im 18 and have been suffering from painful bowel movements when im on my period i have been told its IBS but im worried it could be endo im not sure what to do please help
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here
The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.