How many of these symptoms could be related to endometriosis?

[CaledoniaSloth91]

- Extreme fatigue - Nausea to the point of vomiting

- shoulder pain

- "aching" hips before period

- bleeding nose before period - it's a good indicator for me to ensure I have pads!

- ongoing cough, non smoker

- sudden urge to go to the toilet and often having loose bowel movements

- dizziness

- appetite loss

I have an appointment next week with a new doctor back in my home town so am trying to decipher which are worth mentioning to them. Also, what if it's a male doctor? Does anyone ever find them less helpful? Or will I be fine?

[DarkStar85]

I would say most of those except the cough could be related. Definitely get the cough checked if it's been ongoing. That could be gastro related, although it sounds weird, if you have a post nasal drip. I have lots of gastro issues too. Have you had a recent lap or mri?

[Goiaba in reply to DarkStar85]

I’d echo that - do get checked to rule out anything else that could be causing the cough but I personally wouldn’t be surprised if it was related to endo. Not necessarily directly related to, but as a consequence. I have acid reflux, caused by the years of anti inflammatory and pain meds that endo made me take (so related to endo but not caused by it) and the constant dry cough is a symptom of that.

All others symptoms you listed, except the nose bleed, as far as I know could be your endo.

Hope this makes sense and you feel better soon!

[CaledoniaSloth91 in reply to DarkStar85]

No lap or MRI. Just ultrasounds, including an internal one which was horrific 😳 😢

[Moonglo]

I don’t think it matters if the doctor is male or female - I’ve had fantastic male doctors, terrible female ones and vice versa! It’s really how comfortable you feel talking about your lady bits!

[BloomingMarvellous]

All !

[BloomingMarvellous]

Endometriosis is worsened by the pelvic floor tissue becoming both inflamed and tight. Poor blood supply as a consequence of the tight pelvic floor increases the problems that endo brings so round you go …. What might you ask has this to do with coughing ? Well, the diaphragm also then mirrors the pelvic floor to become tighter and both become more rigid. The more rigid the diaphragm the poorer both the blood and general oxygen supply and wait for it both the pelvic floor and the diaphragm can spasm. Result increasing the risk of coughing with stagnant fluid etc in lungs plus I find the hormone up and downs can cause more spasms too.

Endo also increase general inflammation and this can include the gut making leaky gut an issue into the bloodstream causing more inflammation which for some can mean intolerance responses such as “ asthma type “ issues. The gut even if not leaky is often compromised and sore meaning that absorption of minerals and vits can be impaired. Resultant low magnesium, B12, B6 and insufficient omega 3 will cause a multitude of problems including poor muscle & lung function , dysfunction of the hormones, more inflammation, poor immune system and feeling frankly rubbish.

It’s now thought that endo sufferers need more protein, omega 3, zinc, magnesium , antioxidants to name but a few in the first place let alone once the endo itself kicks in.

If you want to explore the terrain of endo and how it can present I like “ Heal Endo” book by Katie Edmonds. A true must read for the endo warrior.