Do we have to have a laproscopy?

[Peacefulwarrior89]

Hi all,

I've been referred for an emergency laproscopy for my pain. I suspect endometriosis.

But the bigger Q is: do I need the surgery?

I guess yes if it can remove the endometriosis and relieve the pain, but is it necessary for being treated for pain?

I feel like I need a diagnosis to be taken seriously by the medical profession. My partner and I want to try for kids. Can the pain alone be enough for them to support us if we need IVF?

I was not offered and MRI but I will ask my GP if I can have that while I wait.

Is part of my want for the surgery so that people can just understand what I'm going through better? Is my decision being driven by a frustration. Isn't this a bad motivation?

Can I improve the pain myself? I'm vegan, rarely drink, practice yoga regularly and generally get enough sleep. I'm not sure there are many other natural ways to improve my symptoms.

I'd welcome any reflections 🙏🏽🫂

[OlgaSz]

Unfortunately, endometriosis is very hard to diagnose on the scans alone - it has to be really advanced to be visible. The diagnostic laparoscopy is a golden standard, as the scarring is easily identified when looked at directly.

Personally, ablation of my endometriomas improved my quality of life. My periods aren't as painful nor as heavy.

I cannot say anything about IVF or conceiving, as I don't have any experience here.

About improving pain yourself, the things that helped me reduce my pain (apart from the things you are already doing, as I do them as well) were:

Cutting out all caffeine, alcohol

Drinking green tea with ginger daily

Going gluten free

Going whole foods plant based

Removing endocrine disruptors from the house

Adding anti-inflammatory teas, like nettle, yarrow, raspberry leaf and cramp bark

I reduced my stress levels, started breathing exercises and started journaling

All in all I went from taking painkillers like mints to being meds free, so there is hope. 🤍

Let me know, if that's useful and if you have any other questions.

[HT267]

Hey peacefulwarrior89, I had my symptoms since the age of around 14 but wasn't taken seriously until I was in my 30s and had my laproscopy last year. My endo was quite severe by then with both my ovaries stuck to my stomach wall. Had I not had the surgery when I did my fertility would have been at risk. I was in fact told that if I had tried for a baby before surgery I wouldn't have been able to conceive which was a shock. I'm now over a year on and the pain is so much better and we're looking at trying for a baby this year for me surgery was the right choice

Best wishes

HT

[Evieisthebest]

I had a laparoscopy in March 2024 which confirmed that I have endometriosis (had excisions), adenomyosis, a blocked fallopian tube and an ovarian cyst. I have been trying to conceive for over a year with no luck. Since being given the diagnoses my GP has referred me and my partner to the fertility clinic.

The diagnoses, despite upsetting have been helpful for me and meant we can access fertility support, if we didn’t have the diagnoses my GP said they would have asked us to try for another year.

I also eat healthy, don’t drink much and I haven’t found anything really helps for pain apart from a hot water bottle, slowing down and pain killers. It’s too early for me to say whether it has improved my pain yet.

It can be a stressful and difficult journey to decide what is right. Wishing you all the best.