Endometriosis and Pregnancy

[Floss_28]

A couple of months ago, after 10 years of asking for help for crippling period pain and a whole host of other symptoms, I finally had a doctor take me seriously and was told that she most definitely believes I have endometriosis and referred me to a gynaecologist to have surgery.

I had my appointment a couple of days ago with the gynaecologist and it was awful. He spoke to me for just over 7 minutes and barely let me talk. He asked if I wanted a baby and I said me and my partner are planning on starting a family later in the year (we were hoping I'd have the surgery first and get a better idea with what we were dealing with) and his response was to get pregnant! He said to try sooner rather than later and if I'm not pregnant in 6 months then go back. I explained to him I was too scared to come off my pill right now because I have an extremely active job and I can't afford to be in that much pain again and all he said was "the pain shouldn't come back straight away". And then he went. I was shocked.

I phoned my GP the next day and she couldn't believe that's what he said to me. I explained to her about my worries about coming off the pill and she completely understood and prescribed me stronger pain killers for when we do.

But now I'm stumped. The problem is, that's 3 doctors now who think I have endometriosis, but no official diagnosis. I'm now scared that it could take us months and months to get pregnant and my boyfriend is scared it will happen straight away. Has anyone else ever been given advise like this from a doctor before? If so, how did you handle it and what did you do?

[Anna_EndoUK Moderator]

Hi Floss_28

I'm so sorry you've had such a bad experience with this gynae. Can you ask your GP to refer you for a second opinion? It's really good that you've got a GP that believes you, hold on to them if you can!

I completely understand you not wanting to come off the pill because of the pain it will likely cause. I'm in a similar situation unfortunately :-(.

Although it could have been said in a better more understanding way, I wonder if the gynae has recommended that you try for a baby now because the waiting lists for surgery are so long because of covid??

Anyways, I watched this webinar recently from Endometriosis UK on endometriosis and fertility - you might find some of it interesting/helpful: youtu.be/FwZU0NPLxEA(Not working as expected?)

Anna xx

[Floss_28 in reply to Anna_EndoUK]

Hi Anna,

Thank you so much for your message.

A few people have told me to complain and ask to be referred again, but the gyno has actually kinda scared me now. I was kind of naive about the whole thing and now he's saying to try sooner rather then later because it an affect fertility has shook me a bit. I know endometriosis can get worse over time, and I'm worried if I wait to be referred again (I was extremely lucky to get such a quick referral) and if the gyno says the same again it would be wasted time. It's such a tricky situation.

Yeah I've been lucky to have such lovely GP's helping me for once!

I never thought about him saying that because of delays with Covid to be honest, that's probably a good point. Although, I was referred to an NHS gyno that worked out of a private hospital, so I can't imagine they would be too badly affected.

Oh thank you for sending that, I'll check it out ☺️☺️

xx