Endometriosis with regular flow

[Pink_Moon]

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone has been diagnosed with endometriosis with a regular flow? I suffer with a dull aching pelvic pressure, lower back ache, before and during my period, diahorrhea, which can then go to constipation but I also have been diagnosed with IBS, my periods are going longer I can sometimes bleed for 9 days heavier or some months lighter and bleed for 4 days. My mum had endometriosis and had to have a hysterectomy at 38 but she bled for 3 weeks out of the month and lost really big clots which I don’t all the time sometimes I loose clots that are maybe the size of a 20p coin. Any help or advice appreciated.

Thank you

[B-w94]

Hi, my symptoms were similar to yours and I was diagnosed with endometriosis after 3 years of telling doctors I think I have it despite them just diagnosing me with IBS many times.

Everyone’s symptoms with endometriosis are different, some people have minor symptoms whereas some people have severe ones however some of the things you mentioned are symptoms of endo and if you are worried that you could have it then I would definitely go back to your doctor especially as it’s in your family.

I was told many times by different doctors that it was unlikely that I could have it and I’ve just had it removed for the second time, you just have to keep pushing until you get the answers, even ask to be referred to a specialist for a second opinion. Even if you don’t have it, it’s always best to know for sure and put your mind at ease.

Hope that helps, good luck

[Pink_Moon in reply to B-w94]

Thank you for replying, I’m under a gynaecologist now and recently had a pelvic ultrasound and a transvaginal also but he had to stop the transvaginal as it was to painful. My gynaecologist is now referring me for a MRI scan to see if it’s deep infiltrated endometriosis. I just wanted to know if you could still have regular flow periods but still have Endometriosis as when you try to search it it all states really heavy periods, or mid bleeding which I don’t have either. I suppose I will have more answers after the MRI. Thank you again for replying ☺️

[tigerlily27]

HI, I was the same as you. My periods lasted 9 days but not excessively heavy, normal. I had two MRIs and they came back clear. My endo only showed up on a lap. So if yours doesn't show don't give up, I almost did ! Push for a lap, only definitive way to diagnose. I really hope you get a diagnosis soon! Xxx

[Pink_Moon in reply to tigerlily27]

Thank you for replying. I’m glad to hear that endometriosis isn’t just with heavy periods xx

[Bubble_by]

I still had periods every month but they would move up by 2 days each time and would last for about 5-7 days each... They weren't excessively heavy but they were getting more and more painful about a week before I was due each time. I also had awful diarrhea during the first day or two of my period and then the pain went away when the bleeding got less - until next month that is 🙄...

Since this I've started taking the depo injection so I don't have a regular period anymore but I still get spotting every now and again and awful pain before the spotting... Weird but I hope it will settle with the 2nd injection I have soon.

[YellowWarrior]

Hello, I have stage 4 endometriosis that is really deeply infiltrated and I’m waiting for surgery to remove that and part of bowel that’s badly affected but I only bleed for 2 days on average and barely fill a pad on either day.

Please do not associate the amount you bleed with having or not having endometriosis, because I did exactly the same thing but luckily was surrounded by healthcare professionals who followed up with my concerns and performed a laparoscopy. The doctor who did my lap wasn’t skilled enough to remove my amount of endo though so it was just purely diagnostic in the end.

Awareness really needs to be raised about the many different faces of endo because bleeding is not a be all end all symptom!

Well done on getting the MRI appointment though, that will be a good way to tell without being too invasive what exactly is going on!