Video
Dr Pixie:
There’s been a big interest on the site in endometriosis, and it’s very clear that a lot of you don’t actually know what it is or you’re curious about what causes it. Endometriosis occurs when womb tissue is actually found outside of the womb and there are many theories about what causes it. The actual fact is, we don’t really know for sure, but there is one thing—it tends to occur in families.
Now, what kind of symptoms do you get with endometriosis? Endometriosis results in heavy periods, painful periods, and often this can be associated with symptoms like diarrhoea or fainting.
A lot of you have asked how to be referred to a specialist. My advice would be, go and see your GP, because they can do a lot of preliminary tests and investigations, and make the diagnosis for you. If you do see a specialist, they are likely to advise a laparoscopy, which is a telescope test which looks inside your pelvis and can diagnose endometriosis.
Doctor Responses: Endometriosis
Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about endometriosis such as: What is it? What kind of symptoms do you get with endometriosis? How can you treat it?
With thanks to the Baker Street Medical Centre
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I am 23, I have always had very heavy periods which are often extremely painful. About 10months ago i started getting a pain in the right hand area level with my hip. I get the pain just before my period, it's a stinging sensation with a dull but stabbing pain. In the last 4/5months ive had v.regular bleeding between periods, and this time my period has started 8days early and shows no sign of stopping, I am on the pill so it shouldnt be so irratic! It's getting me down now as i feel v.self conscious of it-even though no one can see it!
I`ve been for scans, and internal scans as the doctors thought I had cysts on my ovaries. Now I think I may have Endometriosis. Can I go to my doctor and ask for them to rule this out?
I have pain in my lower abdomen and back. I bleed inbetween periods and have pain during and after sex which can usually last up to 4 hours and I'm unable to move sometimes. I also have severe pain before and during my period. I have been very depressed and when I went to the doctor he said I shouldn't worry and to take pain killers but these do not help with the pain. Could I have endometriosis??
Im 21 and been in and out of hospital with cronic pelvic pains and bleeding from behind which is always worse around time of ovulation, after 2 years of hospital appointments they are now investigating for endo as my mother had it they have put me on a pill and have to wait another 6 months before i can go back to see if they will consider looking into it further. Is there a quicker way to finding out if thats what it is as it like going back to a GP or a test i can go for?? its making me so fed up and being so tired all the time means i am not doing all the activities i would do normally so really want to get it sorted sooner rather than suffering for other year or so waiting for the hospital to help me.
I have been suffering from endometriosis since 1999 and have been seeing the consultant every 3-6 months since then. I have been on zoladex injections 4 times across this period and have now had the mirena coil in for 3 years. None of the treatments given have helped me, i still get agonising pain and have alot of time off work due to this. Every time i see the consultant and explain the pain i am in he responds with "the only cure is to get pregnant" I do not find this answer very helpful or appropriate. Can anyone help further?
i got Endometriosis i had it for 3year i had this it is bad to have i have 3 operation to gave go way then had mirena coil for year i am better with out coil inside me it is not nice to have endometriosis
I am nearly 18 and have been having sex since I was 16 with my boyfriend. But all of a sudden in the last year it has been excruciatingly painful to have sex to the point where I have been in tears and has made me depressed. I've been thinking for a while about going to see if something is wrong and then I saw your programme tonight and it sounded like the same symptoms! Please help me!!
I had painful periods since 11yr old. At 15 i was diagnosed with endo and was put on the pill to tri-cycle with. I had 3 laposcopies were they lazer it away. I then had 2 children, second pregnancy I fell pregnant with twins but lost one of them early on. After the ssecond birth my peroids returned heavy and more painful than before. Sex has always been painful and very painful after which could last for 2 to 3 days with stomach pain etc. They fitted me with the marina(coil) and although that has stoped my periods, the pain issue with sex has not stop and i am at the point were i would rather not have it at all.Waht can i do?
I am 45 and had a hysterectomy in 2004 when the consultant told me that he found areas of endometriosis. He chose to leave my ovaries as I suffer from lupus and there was too much risk of haemorrhage.He said that they had lazered most of the affected areas, but some was left on my right ovary.Since my hysterectomy,I still bleed monthly - not heavily, but often increasing when I open my bowels. The bleeding is definitely from my vagina and not my bottom.Is this to be expected?Does it mean that the endometriotic tissue still responds to my hormone changes.Has anyone also found that they continue to bleed after a hysterectomy or should I be worried?I don't want to tell my G.P. if it is nothing.
i am 45 and have had endo for many years i have had fibroids and cysts removed.i have had a marina coil fitted to stop heavy period bleeding but has not solved the problem this has continued for 2 years,i have now got 4 choices what to do next i have been told it is boarer line should i be worried, i have been told i can have a microwave oblation, full hyrestorecomy,with a drug to bring on menopause prior to op.how do i decide, thanks
hi i have endometriosis have recently turned 39 i so want to have a baby i have had one miscaarrige post ivf i do have bilateral cysts and my gynacologist here wont touch them already i did have a laprotomy for my ruptutured cysts 10 years back but i want hope and encouragement and happiness i am happily married since 2006 i so want to have a baby i have gone recently to nhs for ivf please if some doctor can cure this should i send you my reports i need to have 3 opinions that i am going in the right direction.
