Pain, hormones and losing the will

[Mustardmeringue30]

Hi,

It's my first time posting here and I'm wondering if anyone shares my experiences and how they found resolution.

I believe I had endometriosis (and Adenomyosis) , however I was diagnosed outside of the UK and not by laparoscopy - so I understand it is not an official diagnosis.

I have a lot of pain during periods. Some days it feels like a full-body attack and I can't move.

My doctor has said that it is not essential for me to get a diagnosis as, in her words, it's not like I'll die if I don't. She has said I must try the pill to control the pain, before she will look into a referral to. Gyne. I have been referred before to no outcome. I also get hormonal acne and was told the pill would help.

Fast forward a few months. I had been on the pill for around 8 weeks. Had one horrendous period and some spotting. And have thrush that will not go away. Between the ages of 16-25 (I'm now 30) I was on the pill and honestly had thrush around 50 times. I thought it had stopped due to careful soap and tampon choices. However, two months on the pill and it is back with a vengeance.

The doctor refuses to believe a correlation. But suggests I go on the hormonal patch. I have only been on this ten days. The thrush has improved but I am unable to clear it despite multiple rounds of canesten. The hormonal acne is back and I have start to bleed despite having a patch on right now.

In the past I have tried the implant (I bled for nine months) and the mini pill (also bled the entire time).

I'm so frustrated and tired. It's really getting me down. I don't know how related these things are to each other, and the doctor keeps saying thrush is not caused by contraceptives (I just know this is the cause). They've said they can also try some other options - but I'm getting fed up of hormonally experimenting with my body.

I should also add that I do not need to use contraceptives as contraception. Though I might want to in the future. At the moment all of this means I am not even able to have a sex life even if I wanted to! I guess this is the best contraceptive of all!

Please let me know if you share these experiences. At the moment it feels like. I will never find a solution.

[Gardenist]

Sorry to hear you are suffering. Do you take the oral pill for the thrush? A few years back I was prescribed it continuously for 3 months. I can't remember how frequently I had to take it but it broke the cycle. Could be worth asking your GP about if you haven't tried that already.

[Mustardmeringue30 in reply to Gardenist]

I've never really been given anything and always told just to buy canesten :/

Thanks for your help

[claudia_91 Moderator Endometriosis UK]

Hi Mustardmeringue30

Welcome to the community! 😊

It sounds like you've been going through a really tough time with your endo symptoms, especially since moving to this country. I wonder if you might find it beneficial to connect with fellow endo patients in your local community, via one of Endometriosis UK's support groups. Details are here: endometriosis-uk.org/find-a...

Support groups are run by lovely volunteers, and it is a safe space to speak about your endo and receive support from people experiencing the same things as you.

Wishing you the best.

[Mustardmeringue30 in reply to claudia_91]

Oh I didn't really move here, I did but I came home.

The symptoms worsened on a year abroad.

Thanks for your help