Symptom diary for diagnosis, while on the combined pill? Do I even have a cycle?

[Mountainliving]

Hi everyone.. I've been through a crazy couple of months since learning about the existence of endometriosis. I'm on the waiting list for a laparoscopy, having to wait at least 12 months.

I'm sure many of you can relate to the anxiety that comes with the waiting? The hospital won't help me any further while I'm on the waiting list. They don't want to 'waste' resources treating my pain and issues if it may be endometriosis.

I'm so scared that if it turns out not to be endometriosis, I've wasted an entire year while my symptoms are getting worse and I can't work or have any intimacy with my partner.

So, I want to start a proper symptom diary, as the clue often lies in cyclic symptoms, I heard. I have symptoms all the time, and I don't really know how much they relate to my period. (except for the bleeding of course)

But on the combined pill, do I even have a cycle? Can symptoms even present themselves based on my cycle, or does it make sense that they seem to be at random times? I have every single PMS symptom all the time.

Does it even make sense to keep a symptom diary for cycle related symptoms while on the combined pill? I take a 7 day break, but this only causes a so-called withdrawel bleed, not a real period..

I'm almost thinking I should stop taking the pill to get more clarity!

💛💛

[Katel10]

Hi. Its a really tricky question. The pill supposedly stops ovulation in 95% of women (i think it says this in the info pack). I have experienced it not suppressing my cycle at all but that was the POP. I did have PMS symptoms all the time on the POP. You could try changing pill see if another suits better. What you don’t want is to come off fully and suffer more for no reason….sorry can’t be much help. We are all so complicated and different x

[Mountainliving in reply to Katel10]

Many thanks for your comment! I thought it was a complex issue. I've been thinking about it, and it seems that the problem here is my struggle with waiting. I'm overthinking just to try and take some of that doubt away 😳

But when I do have a diagnosis, I think I will ask the GP for a different pill to see if that changes anything! Thanks again and all the best x

[Moonglo]

Hallo! I’d say yes, it’s worth recording your symptoms now, for at least 2-3 months so you do get some kind of pattern. It will help inform your decisions going forward.

[Mountainliving in reply to Moonglo]

Thanks, I have started recording and am curious to see if there are any patterns 🙂

[Moonglo in reply to Mountainliving]

Great! If you’re inclined, try to also capture your pain levels (1-5), moods and what you’ve been eating/drinking to see if you can also see trigger patterns. Good luck!