pelvic scan

[Emmaja_ne]

hi all, I’ve had an appointment through for a pelvic scan. Is it worth asking for a transvaginal scan while there or do they just do what’s on the referral? Are they able to see more with this. I’m doubtful they will be able to see endo from this.

I will then be waiting for my gynaecology and colorectal appointments. I’m hoping I will soon have some answers.

one positive is my GP started me on the pill about 2 weeks ago and it seems like pain has reduced quite a bit, I should have been ovulating around now and I haven’t been stuck in bed (yay, small wins)

Now I’m thinking gynaecology will just say carry on taking it and not look any further but I don’t want to be on contraception forever due to the other side effects (mood swings etc) I get with it.

[Lindle]

If you are being referred for suspected endo then it must be a transvaginal scan as well and the sonographer must have additional training in looking for the 'sliding sign' and not just the ovaries and uterus.

[Emmaja_ne in reply to Lindle]

It doesn’t look like it’s anyone trained specifically in this doing this first scan. I’m hoping when I go to gynaecology they will do something more in depth. I’ve had a look at the gynaecologists from my local hospital and their both very well trained in endometriosis

[Ishallwearmidnight in reply to Lindle]

I don't know if the same for everyone, but a lot of places now outsource their scanning to dedicated imaging centres, which sometimes means they might be less aware of your history. When I had my pre-appointment ultrasound, it was done in one of those centres and it wasn't transvaginal (although I had been prepared for that as I thought they wouldn't see as much with the other method). They also asked me why it said on the referral to look at thickened endometrial lining, which I found to be an odd question, given I hadn't met the consultant yet and while I supposed the referral was for querying endometriosis, no-one had actually told me that was the case... Anyway, given that question I'm not confident that they will have looked for any other endometriosis specific signs. So for the OP, when you go in, my advice would be to tell them explicitly you are being investigated for possible endometriosis and that's why you are having the scan.

[Lasa]

Hi when I went as an urgent referral I was given a transvaginal scan in the acute gynaecology.U can request your doctor to do this for u ,but they put u on the pill which one ? It's suppose to be progesterone only for endo and takes couple months to kick in as oestrogen feeds offx

[Emmaja_ne in reply to Lasa]

That’s interesting to know thank you. The one I’m on is a combined pill so maybe it’s not endo if I’m feeling better on it 🤔Nothings urgent with my GP their like snails. It’s taken 3 years to get this far 🤣

[Lindle in reply to Emmaja_ne]

The combined pill is the first suggestion for endo and the POP usually if you can't tolerate combined. It is unopposed oestrogen that feeds endo and the oestrogen in the pill is opposed by progesterone. There is no firm evidence that the combined pill feeds endo.

[Ishallwearmidnight in reply to Lindle]

Thanks for the insight, I was also wondering that as I've been put on the combined pill. I'm not doing so well with it but not sure if that's because I started it at the wrong time in my cycle.

[Lindle in reply to Ishallwearmidnight]

Remember that the pill only aims to ease symptoms, mostly by stopping periods and reducing inflammation. But it has its limits. It rarely helps much with severe disease and endo can still progress while taking it as it produces its own oestrogen.

[Lasa]

Hi yes g.p are slow ,no with a transvaginal scan they couldn't before pick up endo but now they can because they have been taking more medical training on recognising it but 10 years ago was a different story x

[Lasa]

Hi u need to either change your g.p if u find them useless which I have done or see another one in that g.p centre,I have this one g.p he's brilliant the rest kept fobbing me off x

[Emmaja_ne]

I changed my GP within the actual doctors and he’s the one who’s finally done the referrals for scans and the different appointments. All the other ones kept saying it was IBS or anxiety etc. my main issues are rectal pains when I’m on my period like I almost faint on the loo, pain when weeing while on my period, ridiculously heavy periods and ovulation pains to the point in stuck in bed. Just want to have some kind of diagnosis atleast. I think then I could deal with it! X

[Lasa]

Hi yes the word IBS everything I know that feeling,omg what u described exactly what I had when was first diagnosed with endo like I'm Gona pass out with bowel movement,heavy periods and vomiting if the pain got bad .Hope they get to the bottom of this x

[laura98]

Hey Emma, when I had an ultrasound I had both internal and external, the internal showed that my ovary was stuck to my uterus on one side, which of course is a sign of endo, so might be worth calling your gp or the hospital just to see if they can do both x

[beth1904]

I had one yesterday and they offer you to have one but only if you have had intercourse. You will also need to make sure you have drank 1 Liter of water an hour before otherwise they won’t be able to see anything.

[HortC11]

Hi, they should be doing both really so maybe contact them and find out what they plan to do & if it’s not an internal then ask if that can be done at the same time. They will see so much more with an internal x

[MY12345]

Hey - yeah ask if they can change this to a transvaginal one. Endo is really difficult to diagnose through ultrasounds and even MRI as it can be very small patches that don’t always show up. If you have endometriosis (cysts caused by endo) then they will show up on ultrasound and some anatomical changes may also should you which is potentially only indicative of endo. Like anything the key is the experience of the sonographer in spotting endo etc in scans. The gold standard is always a lap with a surgeon who has experience of endo in order to be 100% sure if endo is there mild or otherwise. Good luck x