Do women without extreme Endometriosis symptoms tend to undergo key hole surgery?

[AIsobel471]

I am 20 and have been suffering with pelvic pain, IBS symptoms and severe pain during intercourse for 3 years now. I have finally managed to get an appointment with my doctor to discuss key hole surgery to test for Endometriosis. I am worried if this surgery is worth undertaking as my symptoms may not seem as serious as other women who live with Endometriosis. Are there many women who's symptoms are not as serious as mine, yet are painful and disheartening, undergoing key hold surgery? Thank you!!

[Violet159]

Hi, the main thing to focus on is how the symptoms affect you and your life. Endometriosis affects everyone differently so it's not always helpful to compare yourself to how good/bad others seem to have it, if you feel that the symptoms bother you enough to want surgery to investigate/treat them, then you should go for it And by the sound of it, you don't have it easy at all! You'll be able to talk the risks/benefits of surgery over with the doctor to help you decide.

But overall, if it's worth it to you, it's worth it! I hope you get some relief xx

[AIsobel471 in reply to Violet159]

Thank you so much for your reply!

Very helpful advice!

Xx

[Lily1986]

Hello.

I would definitely proceed with the laparoscopy as it is the only way to diagnose endometriosis and even if your symptoms don’t seem as bad others yet, if you were to continue without a diagnosis it could progress and get worse.

I wish you the best of luck xxx

[RunningMum11]

Totally agree with others here. Definitely have keyhole. At least you get a diagnosis and the treatment you need to relieve your symptoms. I was your age when I was first diagnosed. Hope all goes ok. Xx😊

[Anastasia17]

Totally agree with above posts, your pain is valid and the waiting lists for laparoscopy are long, so by the time you reach your laparoscopy, your symptoms may have worsen. The pain and the symptoms, as you may already know from your own experience, can cause severe disruption to your life, hence the reason why you will need first of all to have an official diagnosis in place that cannot be dismissed by doctors, and secondly, to access the medical care that you deserve and need. Mentally, it will give you peace of mind. To live in pain is not fun. When you talk/request to your doctor the laparoscopy, please ask to be referred to a specialist /consultant who has, at the minimum, an interest in endometriosis as a lot of consultants are not trained to recognise the disease and then will either dismiss it or miss it. The consequences are that you could then be living in pain with endo for many years, your doctor will align his professional judgement on the consultant's diagnosis and you may not receive the medical care needed. To have a consultant with an endo interest /specialism is the key. The same applies to MRI scans. A lot of us have been fobbed of for years, also with diagnosis of IBS (endo gives IBS symptoms). Wishing you the best.

[AIsobel471 in reply to Anastasia17]

Hi!

That's great advice, thank you so much!!

It's so difficult seeing endless doctors who don't have specialist knowledge or training in this area of women's issues, it's letting so many women down!

[Anastasia17 in reply to AIsobel471]

Yes, it's disheartening. Make sure you request to be referred to a specialist with endo interest. Take care.

[Afrohair]

Only you can decide how much endometriosis affects your life x

[Noodle1984]

One weird aspect of Endo is that you could have very little symptoms and have stage 4 Endo. I had severe symptoms and had severe stage 4 recto vagina endometriosis (took 2.5 hours for them to separate them). Please don’t let your symptoms get more serious than they already are. It’s already obviously disrupting your life, you deserve to not be in pain. That being said there’s a lot of other things you can do before surgery. I decided to try things before surgery as I really didn’t want it. I am in Canada and lucked out to be apart of the pelvic pain and Endo clinic there (center of excellence). Part of the program is surrounded on diet, pelvic physio who specializes in Endo, cognitive behavior therapy, therapy one on one, and medications. If those things fail then they do surgery. Do some research on the Endo diet, it’s a big change but can help your body out before surgery too. Good luck. 💕

[AIsobel471]

Thank you for your reply, that sounds like an amazing clinic, I wish we had something like that in England where I live!

I have up gluten, dairy and meat around 2 years ago and it has helped a lot!

Is stage 4 endometriosis seen as the most severe?

Thanks!

[SC_96]

Hello Alsobel471,

I am 24 and also get severe pain during sex, so endometriosis is suspected. I am feeling similarly to you at present- unsure whether to go for surgery or to try more conservative methods such as the Mirena Coil first. Have you tried any of the conservative/medical management options yet?

Like others have said, everyone suffers differently and each person's pain is viable, so laparoscopy is definitely a consideration of mine. I'm just unsure whether to try other methods first or get on the waiting list! Sorry that this isn't a particularly helpful reply. I thought it might be nice to mention that I am in a similar situation so you know you are not alone!

xx