1st period after laparoscopy

[natalienln]

Ive just had my first period after my laparoscopy and its very painful, I’m only on day 3, pain killers not touching the pain. but my problem is I’ve not been bleeding at all? I had stage 4 endo and 2 large chocolate cysts removed as well as adhesions treated 3 weeks ago. My past periods have always been heavy lasting 10 days. So this is new to me. Im aware that after a laparoscopy it takes time for periods to return to normal and that i could expect them to be heavy, irregular and painful, but no bleeding? Has anyone else had a period without bleeding?

[luthien]

Hey, sometimes the whole system can be affected by the lap and it can depend on where in your cycle you were when you had your lap - I asked my specialist!

In summary if your lap was after ovulation, you'll most likely get your normal period, it may be slightly heavier and more painful. That's because the cycle has already started for shedding the lining. The next few cycles can be a bit all over the place as so much has been poked and prodded that the uterus kind of goes into shock as it really doesn't like that stuff.

If your lap is before ovulation the ovaries will sometimes stop producing an egg that cycle, again due to shock from the op, which can result in no period, delayed period or heavy period. When the body is gearing up for ovulation the uterus lining gets thicker, if no egg implants it sheds. In the case of the op, the egg isn't produced or the lining isn't thick so the body can go through a normal cycle - just by default. Sometimes the pain that goes with the period will still be there as the body is on automatic with the hormones.

Our body cant tell the difference between endo pain and removed endo pain so it all just feels awful. You've had a lot removed so it'll take a while for your cycles to settle, they usually say about four months.

My first lap; was just after my period, so my period post lap was a week late, the next two periods were heavy and painful but about 29 days apart - the norm for me. My second lap: this was carried out just after ovulation, so my first period was on time but horrible, as was the second (I needed extra time signed off for it - totalling 5 weeks, just so I could feel more normal. I'm four months post op and it's definitely improving.

Has your specialist discussed what to expect post surgery and thereafter? Like it'll take up to 4 months to recover, you may need to be signed off for more than the usual 2 weeks, what your expected pain levels should be - eg a 50% reduction, that sort of thing.

Happy to answer any questions xx

[Theodora2016 in reply to luthien]

This is really interesting, thank you. I started bleeding 4 days after lap and that is when period was due. However, ive started to spot today which is 3 weeks post lap. Ive been in tears worrying about it and wondering what's wrong with me. Ive had no conversation about what to expect so what you've said does make me feel a bit better.

[natalienln in reply to luthien]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question, thats been very helpful x

I’ve not been told anything. I went in for the op and when i was discharged from the hospital, on my discharge papers it said discharged from the gynaecologist so I’ve had no follow up i only know my diagnosis as it was on the discharge papers. I feel like I’ve just been left to get on with it. I went to the doctors, the doctor was not very helpful and would not refer me back to a gynaecologist as I’ve “been treated” she said. Im trying to learn as much as i can on here. Im still in alot of pain thats affecting my everyday life, my hips and back are bad where i can only walk for a little while and I’m in alot of pain. I’m only 33 and I’m walking around like an old lady. I think i might have endo in my hip joints but I have lost faith in the doctors.

[luthien in reply to natalienln]

Have you looked into physio for your hips and back? Have a look at ones that work with mobility, you can usually call them up to have a chat or an initial consultation.

I had back and coccyx problems after my first lap and thought it was odd but just got on with life, 8 months later and after my second lap it's even worse, so I went to a physio. He looked at it and took down details, within 3 minutes he said it's as a result of surgery, recovery and general endo symptoms. It weakens the core as incisions are made in those muscles and general bloating / back and abdomen cramps cause it to weaken more. As a result the lower back will compensate becoming rigid - it doesn't flex much. Because of this it has a knock on effect on surrounding muscles and causes referred pain in the upper back, shoulders, hips, knees etc. I now need regular physio (every two weeks) to massage and manipulate (not a light touch lol!) my lower back, glutes (bum and hips) to loosen those up. And we're doing some core strength exercises to get it all back in shape. He says he sees it a lot in anyone with abdomen surgery especially women. There isn't much advice / support from doctors as they just go through the tick list of; any injuries, any sudden movements etc. they don't think about surgery to surrounding areas. It's definitely helping even after only 3 sessions. I had to go private for this as the NHS just signed me off as "deal with it" which is what made it worse.

Happy to help with any questions xx