I went to get an internal ultrasound and my doctors refused as I wasn’t sexually active. What is the next step I can take?

[Rosieannaa]

My GP told me I had to have the internal to check for Endometriosis. I’m wandering whether they can actually refuse on medical grounds? They say it’s for ethical reasons, but I am totally fine with them doing the ultrasound. They have my consent.

[CryBaby91]

Hi babe, ultrasound doesn't usually find or diagnose endo. The only definitive way is through laproscopic surgery. But, the ultrasound would rule out other conditions such as PCOS, basically anything to do with cysts which would show up. My specialist described endo as a scab, you wouldn't see them because they are solid masses and ultrasound needs liquid to be visible. Please speak to another GP (female would be best) and explain your symptoms to them, tell them you want to know what's going on with you and you being sexually active has nothing to do with if you have endo! Xxx

[Rosieannaa in reply to CryBaby91]

Ah, that’s interesting to know! I had the external ultrasound, although my GP had previously told me that the external is almost pointless. She wanted the internal done. That’s such a good point to know! Thank you. Have you had a laparoscopy? It makes me so nervous that I could have the diagnosis + endo taken out all at once. Thank you so much lovely! Xxx

[CryBaby91 in reply to Rosieannaa]

I haven't had the lap yet, my gyne that the GP referred me too said it was pointless doing one 🙄 but I paid for a specialist and he wants to do one so I'm just waiting for the letter now. It is scary babe but leaving things to get worse wouldn't be a good option either, just think if you do have endo and they remove it that could make your pain better so your quality of life would improve. That's got to be worth a go xxx

[Aurora20]

Hi I was in exactly the same situation! She wouldn’t do it for ethical reasons, I ended up going back once I lost my virginity and then she did it for me x

[Rosieannaa in reply to Aurora20]

Hello! It’s awful! I can’t understand why we don’t have the right to make our own choice. I’m 25 and don’t see me losing my virginity anytime in the near future. I’m really at a loss of what to do. Thank you so much for responding. I’m glad you got your results in the end. It’s nice to know someone else has been in the same boat x

[Aurora20 in reply to Rosieannaa]

Exactly I was around 21 years old at the time we are grown adults and should be allowed to make these decisions! Are you private or nhs? You could always ring around and see if there are any doctors that would do it, maybe it depends on them etc it’s worth a shot. Because you don’t want to let it get worse and then the endo has grown so much x

[Sam1875]

Hi,

As others have stated an internal or external ultrasound does not give definitive diagnosis. Being sexually active or not has no issue upon endo chances.

If they have not found endo, and you are still having symptoms do not give up, sadly it can take ages to get diagnosed fully.

You are entitled to seek a laparoscopy on NHS, regardless of your sexual past. I have had 2 in last 5 years, and it can assist diagnosis and will give you peace of mind. Try to find a GP who has other patients with endo.

My male GP had none, and was slow to see possibilities.

Many have experienced long delays in diagnosis due to GPs not pushing correct examinations soon enough,

The faster you get the answers to your symptoms the quicker you can find solutions, sadly there is no cure for endo, but there are ways to deal with it.

Stay strong as you battle for the facts, it is your body !

[Blue_Sky12]

Sorry to hear you’re struggling to get anyone to listen to you. I’ve read in two or three places that they can offer an internal ultrasound rectally if you’re not sexually active - you could see how you felt about that as an option?