First period since lap...is it bad?

[judda]

Morning all,

I am soon due a period three weeks after my first Laparoscopy and I’m wondering how everyone found their first period post surgery...is it bad? How can I best prepare for it? I’m used to bad periods but I’ve read a few posts on here that suggest I’m going to be in for a tough week! Would appreciate hearing your stories/advice x

[luthien]

Hi, mine was quite bad and I didn't feel like they'd done anything (removed endo) but when I checked with my specialist he says it's because our body can't tell the difference between removed endo pain and endo pain, so we associate it as nothing has changed.

Also you've had lots done inside even if it is just inflating your abdomen and poking around, that's still moving stuff around and sometimes the body can go into shock making everything that little bit worse while it's healing.

You can prepare by getting heat patches - stick on ones if you're okay with those, lots of pads - I found my first period that tampons were uncomfortable and it was too painful to get my menstrual cup up there. You can predose with ibuprofen or any other NSAID drug as they work better before the pain starts, take three days before your period due date, and during - advised by my specialist and GP. Plus anything extra you normally do for periods. Pretty much book those days out of social stuff for the moment as you don't know how you'll be.

Hope it all goes okay and isn't too bad xx

[judda in reply to luthien]

Thanks farahziya! I didn’t know that about the associated pain. I’ll get lots of painkillers in and heat packs! Thank you xx

[judda]

I too was due on the day after my op and although I did bleed for a few days after, it wasn’t a period. I feel like mine is looming now and I’m recognising the usual symptoms I always get before my period comes...can’t wait until things get better. Hope yours isn’t too bad for you either!