Hi all, me again. I am in a difficult place at the moment. I have been going to the doctors since the age of 12 with gastrointestinal symptoms, diagnosed with IBS. Now, aged 23, I can recognise my symptoms are much worse during my period and that I also have pain during sex. Recently saw a doctor who booked me in for an ultrasound. It revealed cysts on my ovaries and fluid in my pouch of Douglas. I was asked if I could rule out this being caused by pelvic inflammatory disease by doing swabs and blood tests for STIs. These all came back negative. My doctor suspects endo in my pouch of Douglas and/or bowel.
To make matters worse, I have been instructed to stop taking the pill due to high blood pressure. I have been on the pill for 7 years and found that it managed some of the pain, especially the kind of shooting pains and pressure I get in my rectum during a natural period. I had my first natural period last week and the pain was excruciating. I know it sounds stupid but I am scared for my next period and the pain, depression and fatigue that accompanies it.
My doctor has now put a referral through to gynaecology but, due to the coronavirus, says that this will take months to get picked up. I have also been told I need blood tests to rule out polycystic ovary syndrome, though I cannot have these until my practice reopens after lockdown.
Naturally, my thoughts are getting away with me and I'm feeling overwhelmed by everything. Can anyone enlighten me on the process once your GP has put a referral in for you to be picked up by gynaecology? Do you have to meet with a consultant first? Do you have to go through the same process of explaining symptoms? Will I be offered more scans? Is it likely I will need diagnostic surgery? I had thought these were all givens but now I'm not so sure. Any light you can shed on this would be most helpful. Thank you in advance xxx
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rebekah2311
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My consultation wasn’t very conventional, other people may be able to provide other info.
I was referred by GP, but when it came through it was to urogynaecology. Did some research and didn’t think right area. Spoke to the department admin and it’s them who decided which consultant your letter goes to, they based on frequency ignoring fibroids.
Cancelled and went private.
I typed out bullet points of history, symptoms, and gave it to him to read. He asked some questions, quick exam. Decided endo more likely causing issues and fibroids not big enough to be a concern.
You should be able to still get blood tests at your GP, a service is still operating. You may have to go somewhere else local though.
Once you know who the consultant is research them to make sure you’re happy with their experience
That’s good you have an understanding GP who has referred you onto gynaecology.
A lot of gynae departments seem to have a long waiting list, it depends on what part of the country you are in unfortunately.
The first time I saw a consultant they decided to do the scan there and then, chats were found on my ovaries and she told me I would need a laparoscopy to check for endometriosis. I also had an MRI for adenomyosis.
I don’t know the full list of your symptoms but mine are very heavy bleeding through the clothes, anaemic, hair loss, bloated, water retention, labour like pains.
I see you mentioned gastroenterology, I have had IBS symptoms for years and my stomach pain was always put down as having a sensitive stomach. Years on it was endometriosis and adenomyosis.
You know your own body, keep pushing for tests if you need to as it’s you living in pain. Remember you have choices too as lots of doctors seem to push for the coil which I refuse.
I was sent out a letter with an appointment time and date on it.
You’ll more then likely not see the consultant that it says on the letter but another consultant that’s in there team. I found that they ask a lot of questions in order to get a good report, they tend to ask everything about your periods, and if there’s any pain with sex and stuff like that. Then I was asked how long it’s been happening for and what things I’ve tried. Like you I was on the pill for awhile but I noticed it made a huge effect to my mental health. I’d only recently had a scan before I seen them and so they discussed that too. If it’s been awhile from you having the scan and seeing them then you might have another one. You’ll also more then likely be asked in the first appointment if they can preform an internal exam just to check everything out. Then after that you’ll discuss the next steps. For me the consultant I saw didn’t mention what he thought it was through the whole consultation until towards the end when he mentioned the possibility of it been Endometriosis. We then discussed the next steps and what treatment I could try. I was told to get the coil fitted as that is there first line of treatments as well as the pill been one too. And then told to ask for another referral in 6 months if I found the coil didn’t help the pains. It’s a long process, but worth it once you have the appointment x
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Gynaecology specialist
What to expect from your gynae referral ?
I have dense adhesion and get severe pain prior to my period, is that mean endo under the adhesion? 
waiting for diagnosis 
Drs won’t refer me
