Advice please

[EC123]

Hi everyone,

I am just looking for advice, and what things have worked well for you. I’m 22 years old, and have endometriosis. I have had 2 laparoscopys, and never had much relief. I bleed very heavily, and often feel like I have a burning knife inside of me. When I am having a bad day, it stops me from doing daily activities. I take co-drydomol often, but it doesn’t do much. I had a telephone appt with my consultant today as the pain is just getting worse. I have tried the pill and cook previously, but it never helped. June 2019 I came off contraceptives as it didn’t help, and I didn’t want to limit my chance of having a baby. My partner and I have been together for 5 years. After speaking to my consultant today, she said it’s not normal that I haven’t fallen pregnant. I always knew I would struggle to have children, but hearing those words has just hit me like a ton of bricks. She said my options now are to either go down the fertility route if I I want to try further, or go into a inducted menopause. As I said, I’m 22 years old being told I need to either go into the menopause, or start thinking about fertility treatment. My head is all over the place. Please advice, I hope you’re all well x

[Moon_maiden]

I can’t advice on fertility, a second opinion could be useful. I don’t know if your consultant is specialised endo or fertility.

[Hidden]

Hi lovely.

I feel every word you have just written. All I can advise is really think of your options, if you want to start a family - go for it, look into all the options with your other half and have some talks are the fertility centre.

I would suggest going down this route before entertaining an early menopause.

I would like to say at some point the condition gets better but from my experience it doesn’t.

I appreciate it’s difficult because you’re still so young but think about your options, see if the fertility route is the best for you and if not then you have your other option. You shouldn’t have to be thinking about this at 22 and my heart reaches out to you.

[EC123 in reply to Hidden]

Hey

Thank you for your kind words. Every way I look at it there is a problem, just such a hard predicament to be in. I feel like I’m not in control of my own future.

Have you been down the menopause route before? X

[Hidden in reply to EC123]

Any time

I haven’t been down the menopause route yet as we’re hoping to have one more child before I entertain it, however, we are struggling to conceive now so I may be going down that path in 6-9 months time.

There is only so much pain i can put up with and if we aren’t able to conceive then I will likely be taking my gp up on their offer, however, it isn’t something I will be in a rush to consider as it’s life changing for someone who is at least 15 years away from it.

[DAML8]

Poor you, it is alot to deal with isn’t it! Some big decisions to make. I had 3 induced menopauses during my 20’s before my total hysterectomy 4 years ago...i’m 33 now. Luckily i had 2 (unplanned) pregnancies when i was 18 and 21.

The induced menopauses benefited me greatly (apart from the menopause side effects) because it stopped my pains each time for a 6 month period which was a relief and a nice rest for my body. Perhaps it’s worth getting a second opinion if that is a possibility for you?

[EC123 in reply to DAML8]

I am glad it helped you. What side effects did you suffer with? There seems to be so many you can get, it’s scary. You can probably relate that’s it’s such a hard choice to make in your 20’s x

[DAML8 in reply to EC123]

Yes it is definitely a hard choice to make! I had my hysterectomy due to polycystic ovaries, Adenomyosis and endometriosis but unfortunately all my pains and endometriosis returned within months and I’m suffering worse than ever pain wise!

The side effects I experienced were hot flushes (dreadful at night time) headaches, restless legs and i was more teary than normal.

They have all cleared up now as i am on HRT.

Hope that helps xx

[ourmolly]

Don't give up. I had severe endometriosis for years. I had to have an emergency hysterectomy at 28 years old. I had 2 children at 20 and 22. But my problems got worse after having my children. Severe rectal bleeding. It was like having a period from my bowel. The period pains were hoffific. Losing large clots. I would not take your consultants words as precise. Every Consultant have their own opinion. My Consultant would not remove my ovaries because he said I was too young. Yet another Consultant said if they did not remove my ovaries I would always have rectal bleeding, which turned out to be correct. Do not give up hope. I know of people who were told they would never have any children ended up having 2 , after they had given up . Take care.

[Afrohair]

She can’t tell you ,you can’t have kids without checking that’s an insensitive thing to say !plus it’s not even been a year you have been off contraception.have you been actively trying for a baby ?tracking your temperature and cervical mucus.?healthy diet ,taking vitamins.pain management.you do what’s best for you if you think you can keep trying go for it if you want to look into ivf do it’s your choice