Hi all i’m sorry to bother you but I was after a bit of help/advice ... I’m a worried mum and could take any information I can get.
My young daughter had some vaginal bleeding at 6 years old ( now just turn 7) and no doctor or consultant could find an answer. To cut a long story short she had an ultrasound and there has been endometrial tissue found.
she hasn't started periods yet but she does get lower tummy pain for about 4 days near the beginning of the month and her belly does bloat on occasions.
Does this mean she has endometriosis or is more likely to get it? Any help would be gratefully received.
She’s due to see a hormone specialist in the next few weeks.
Hallo, I’m so sorry to hear your daughter is going through this. I don’t know whether it could be endo, but you’re doing the right thing by investigating and researching. You will soon be the expert on her symptoms and condition.
Knowing how long it takes to get diagnosis, and then getting treatment, be prepared to be your daughter’s warrior- don’t be fobbed off!
I have no explanation for you, as a mum myself to a 6 year old I can appreciate how scared you must feel.
If there are no health concerns contributing to a hormonal imbalance it must be very confusing.
I know as adults what we eat, drink, how much we exercise can influence our hormones but with children you’ll need an expert because I would never have thought endo would be an issue especially this young.
There are many theories about why or when endometriosis develops. It has been found in fetal tissue, which indicates girls who have endometriosis were born with it. Normally, it would not cause problems in prepubescent girls but it can happen.
Sadly, there is still a lot of misinformation about endometriosis out there as there are doctors who spread it, like the silly theory that endometriosis is caused by retrograde menstruation.
If you suspect your little girl has endo then perhaps the best way to go about it would be to contact a specialist.
Brilliant thankyou very much for your help .. I might be jumping the gun ( very possible) when I had the report back from the ultrasound and it said there was endomertial tissue found I put 2 and 2 together and thought endometriosis?! She is due to go back to hospital to see a hormone specialist so will also ask then , I just want to have as much knowledge as possible going into that appointment , again thankyou very much x
Did they specify where they found the endometrial tissue? I ask because endo is very difficult to see on ultrasound unless it’s an ovarian cyst (endometrioma) or there is a big lesion of endometrial tissue. Even a CT scan or MRI cannot easily detect endometriosis lesions unless it’s a severe case.
Mainly, endometriosis is diagnosed through a laparoscopic surgery, visually.
There are no blood tests for it either unless it’s an endometrioma (ovarian endo cyst), in which case the ovarian cancer marker (CA-125) can be elevated.
I have a problem with recurring endometriomas and I always have elevated CA-125 when I have a new endo cyst. Still, doctors do not want to use this test as a diagnostic tool.
Edited to add - When I first was diagnosed with endometrioma, my main symptom was random light vaginal bleeding.
Oh bless you , no it hasn't said where this tissue has been found ...that's what I have researched and for them to find it ( if they have ) I'm pretty shocked. I'm so confused by it all and I'm the only voice my daughter has so I'm trying to get all this ... I don't know how you ladies cope x
I know, it’s easy to say but best try not to google and worry too much because it’s a dark rabbit hole. I am sure your closest BSGE centre will help your little girl the best they can.
What you can do is write down all the questions you have, collect all the test results, doctors notes etc. and keep it in a folder so you are prepared when you go to the doctor. And remember, by law you have the right to have a copy of any test results.
I wish you luck and hope that it all gets sorted and your little one is going to be fine💛
Look for other Endometriosis symptoms like lower back pain, mood swings and a very important one being exhausted. I'm no medical specialist but to be completely honest I think she has a higher risk of developing it based on the fact they can already see early stages. Please don't worry. I'm not going to lie, having endometriosis is life changing but with the correct support, right treatment and best specialist it is manageable and she should be able to have a totally normal life and still have children. There are alot of options available. I am currently working with the endometriosis charity to set up more support awareness groups in the UK. Ask your doctor for info.
Thankyou so much that's lovely everyone is and I'm so glad I found this forum ❤ luckily she's only had a few episodes of bleeding but the first time she came home from school and started screaming absolutely terrified so at 6 I took her straight to the doctors and now we are here 😣 just trying to keep myself together to help her xx
You sound like a lovely mum, it’s not easy being a female is it especially when we have to deal with periods and hormones & all these gynae problems. X
Hi, my heart really goes out to you and your daughter. When I read how old your daughter is I cried. No one, no matter what age should suffer with endo. I’m surprised anything showed up in the scan. You should really see a endo specialist, get it investigated, have a plan. Most women will say going Glutenfree and Dairyfree is helpful, I have noticed that it has helped me, don’t let your GP fob you off. I have a daughter and am worried that she might have it.
Bless you.. sorry didn't want to make anyone cry 😞, I'm always making home cooked food from fresh veg and she's good for fruit with is nice so I'm very lucky with her ... will have to look into a few changes to see if it helps thankyou, she was referred straight to a peds doctor not we are seeing a consultant ( the hormone specialist) just wondering were we go from here so many unanswered questions. Sorry to go on ... I hope your daughter doesn't my love 😞 at least you know the signs so can react fast.
My heart goes out to you and your daughter. I know first hand how painful and exhausting having endo can be. Do your own research before agreeing to any hormone treatment, some can make endo worse. I stick to gluten free dairy free and soya free, low fiber diet mostly I have liquids like water based soups for most of the week as solid foods causes me pains.
I have realised this isn't normal and Thank you so much for all that advice I'm going to do some more digging they have yet to say about were the tissue has been found ... precocious puberty was mentioned at the last appointment but he believed this wasn't the case? Then she had the scan were this 'endometrial tissue' has been found. Honestly I'm so confused 😔 ... never knew I could get scan results , would I even be able to understand the results? I will keep you informed if you like? her appointment is this Friday ( thought it was next 🙈glad I found the letter) thankyou for all your help xx
Hey Marcia, did you visit the Nancy nook endometriosis education page on fb. There’s an article on teens and Endo and the age states 7-10 years. This is a very good place to be in. I assure you would would be in the right hands. So kindly look into it.
It’s not just the article. They are experienced doctors and know how to deal with every issue. It’s a goldmine and I just joined this a week ago. So yes I would recommend you join this group, and send a personal text to them about your daughters situation. I don’t know but the first week you can not post anything
That’s a gross misconception. If that were true then 90% of women would have endometriosis.
Endometriosis has been found during autopsies of stillborn girs, who obv. have never menstruated. Also, endometriosis tissue is different from the lining of the uterus we women shed monthly.
There are also rare cases of men having endometriosis tissue.
I will answer your questions with links to studies when I have more time. Endometriosis research is ongoing and there is no definitive answer to what causes it and how to cure it.
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