Need advice on ehat to do...pill or surgery

[Sophie2]

So just looking for some advice after just having my first gyneological appointment. Went well all in all and came out with a confirmed possible endometriosis (rather than just "hmm yeah maybe") and 2 choices

A. Laparoscopy and treatment

B. Change from a combined pill to a progesterone only and see if that works for a few month...if it doesn't do the lap anyway.

So the doctor recommends b because I'm 20 and as we all know there's always a chance of complications so she says go with b and put off the operation as long as possible. I was against that because if the pill doesnt work it prolongs the months of pain but now I'm leaning more to b because I'm just scared and should probably go none invasive first and my parents boyfriend and best friends are all saying different things and I'm confused so I thought I'll ask some actual people who are either in or have gone through the same thing and see what they think or if they had similar options what they did.

Thank you in advance!!!

[Vmbourg]

I did the pill first and then I finally got pregnant (age28) after pregnancy I went back on the pill for pain control, and it just doesn't work anymore, so after years of trying to mask pain, I am getting the lap. It's worth a try but it doesn't look like it'll stop the growth if it is endo. If it's just a diagnostic Lap , and they just want to look, and if it gives you a better idea for treatment forward, I wouldn't rule it out. Almost wish I would have done the lap sooner due to the pain I'm in now.

[Tinkerbell16]

Hi I would recommend trying to control your symptoms with the pill first, if you do need a laproscopy later ensure they excise any endometriosis found. My daughter who is your age is going through the same apart from her gynecologist has booked her in for an MRI scan which is a less invasive way of looking for endometriosis. Perhaps ask for this, good luck xxx

[luthien]

hey, i'd definitely say surgery; but if it helps explain my decision, have a read of my experience of endo - which I didn't know I had for quite a few years. I started my story at a similar point to you so it may answer your questions.

Just go to it via my profile or search this page for:

"All this effort does pay off - my story - hope it helps !"

xx

[Ericaa42]

Hi Sophie. I had a gynae consultation last year and was recommended to try a number of things (taking my pill continuosly, diet and lifestyle changes) instead of having the lap. It seemed sensible at the time but a year on I'm suffering 10 times more than I was then - worse symptoms, 24/7 pain etc. I'm now under a new gynae and on the waiting list for a lap. I personally think it's best to get the route of the problem as soon as you can so you know what you're dealing with (I think it gives you a bit of peace of mind to have an answer for your symptoms as well). Also I've heard that endo is easier treated by surgery if you catch it early. X

[Penelopeel]

Progesterone ( primolut 5 mg ) made a huge difference to me. The less operations you can have the better off you will be . So I would definitely try high dose progesterone first. Surgery is not always the magic bullet and often women with endo have so many operations the surgery causes adhesions and nerve pain itself. So try medication first for sure.

[Thecraftyadder in reply to Penelopeel]

I know this was posted a few months back but I'm just curious how you take this pill for endo? I've just been prescribed one a day as a top up to the mirena but I'm thinking to get the coil removed. I saw on the leaflet that the 5mg pill can be used to treat endometriosis by itself. I don't deal well with hormones, can't take COCP and am hesitant about the mini pill but as this is low dose I would potentially try it.