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Author Topic: Peri Menopause or Endo  (Read 981 times)

ragdollyana

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Peri Menopause or Endo
« on: January 30, 2020, 03:42:03 PM »

Hi, I started having extremely heavy and painful periods about 3 year ago at the ages of 36. I'd never had any gynae problems prior to that. My doctor at the time said it could be endo because it hadn't shown up on an ultrasound. So I tried to treat myself naturally for what I believed was a hormone imbalance. Other symptoms seemed to point to oestrogen dominance. Since then I have seems gyne who gave me a symptom based diagnosis of endo but my naturapathic doctor feels that I am in peri menopause and my symptoms are probably due to surges in oestrogen/ hormone imbalance. I bit the bullet in Feb last year and started taking hormonal birth control. It's taken a year of different dosages to find something that works, but I am still getting pelvic pain. I also get pain in my bowel. Should I be pushing for a laprosopy?

It is also worth noting that I have EDS, a connective tissue disorder. My monthly swings in hormones had been driving an increase in my EDS symptoms to the point I had to stop working. So at the moment I tri-cycle a low dose combined contraceptive pill (loestrin 30) and only have three periods a year. However this alone did not stop my pelvic pain, so I have recently started taking 100mg daily of utrogestan in addition to my pill. I'm still getting pelvic pain so my doc has recommended upping my utrogestan to 200mg daily.

Thanks
« Last Edit: January 30, 2020, 03:50:07 PM by ragdollyana »
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CLKD

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Re: Peri Menopause or Endo
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2020, 03:48:11 PM »

Hi! 

Did you have endometriosis as this usually shows earlier during our regular mensutrating years and rarely goes un-detected.

The Change - does what it says on the tin  ::).  4 me it was that my periods waxed and waned for several years: would miss several then back to a regular pattern.  Then nowt but I didn't stop carrying protection for 5 years  ::).

Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary.  At 36 your GP should have followed up the possibility that you were into menopause not dismissed it as endometriosis. 

Is there a menopause clinic in your area?
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ragdollyana

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Re: Peri Menopause or Endo
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2020, 07:55:27 PM »

Hi, No that's why I'm sceptical about the endo diagnosis as I've never had any gynae issues. My periods have been light, relatively pain free and regular as clockwork up to the age of 36/37. Then they became very heavy and painful overnight.
Ive had my thyroid checked and that's all ok. I have occasional night sweats and a habit of waking about 5am like I've had a shot of espresso. I'm struggling with my GP, but feel like I need some more support answers. I don't know if there is a menopause clinic in my area, but I'll check. Thankyou!!
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Hurdity

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Re: Peri Menopause or Endo
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2020, 08:44:13 AM »

Hi ragdollyana

 :welcomemm:

Sorry to hear about your ongoing problems and pain. If you are still having having pelvic pain after your diagnosis of endometriosis I would push for further investigation. Until this has been sorted and you have been checked for other possible cause then a naturopath is not the answer. One question - when you had the scan did you also have a biopsy? Yes it could be a hormone imbalance but if your periods are still absolutely regular then you are not yet peri-menopausal, although your hormones could have started to go a bit awry. If you have been given a diagnosis of endometriosis - are there other ways of determining this? Also if you have EDS - I see there are different types of this so maybe this is contributing to your problems? Yes high doses of progestogens may be needed if you have endo but if it's not working you need to see a specialist again I would say - but sorry I can't really offer more suggestions as your situation sounds complex and requiring ongoing specialist help.

I agree see if you can get a referral - you can find where the clinics are by clicking on "Specialists"on the menu and it will take you to the page - then the nearest NHS one to you - ask your doc for referral.

Hurdity x
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jaynej

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Re: Peri Menopause or Endo
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2020, 09:08:28 AM »

Hi ragdollyana,  I had similar issues in my early 30s and had all sorts of scans and investigations and then finally a laparoscopy found some endometriosis in some 'hidden' places.  My Mum had endo too which was why they suggested surgery.  They lazered the cells out and the pain did go... but it is important to note that they wouldn't have found it without surgery.

They also found that my ovary was enlarged which was also a cause of some discomfort but weren't concerned.  They left that and just knowing what it was, and that it wasn't an issue made it easier to cope with.  Fast forward over 10 years and all is well - well, apart from the perimenopause symptoms, but that's why we're all here!

Do push for a laparoscopy and further investigation.  The thing with endo is that sometimes, if it is in odd places it may only start to cause issues when it turns into adhesions and that can be years after it starts (this is what my mother had which ended up with a fully hysterectomy but only after an operation for adhesions!).

Good luck hun, push the doctors hard... you deserve to get better. xxx
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CLKD

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Re: Peri Menopause or Endo
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2020, 09:43:46 AM »

 :thankyou:

ragdollyanna: Let us know how you get on!  Every experience shared is useful  :great:
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ragdollyana

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Re: Peri Menopause or Endo
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2020, 05:33:41 PM »

Thanks all, yes I think I need to push for further investigation so I'm going to see my gp next week. I will update again when I have some progress. :)
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CLKD

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Re: Peri Menopause or Endo
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2020, 05:37:41 PM »

Yep.  Let us know.  Take a list to the appt.?
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