struggling to get diagnosed

[Ca1t7yn]

Since I was 13 I have been dealing with significant pain in my lower abdomen and back, particularly during my menstrual cycle. The intensity of the pain has been increasing, to the point where it is impacting my ability to carry out normal daily activities some days. Additionally, I have been experiencing discomfort and pain while urinating when ovulating and I have noticed blood in my urine during this time. I have been using over-the-counter painkillers to alleviate the discomfort, but they have been increasingly ineffective. I have also tried using a TENS machine, which provides only minimal relief. Furthermore, I have been frequently bleeding through menstrual products that I change every hour and have been passing clots during my period. In addition, I have been feeling nauseous during my menstrual cycle and have been physically sick from the pain. I am concerned that they may be indicative of endometriosis. I am only bringing this up now because the symptoms have become increasingly more unmanageable and are significantly impacting my quality of life. I have previously tried using birth control and period delay tablets , but I found that they only seemed to make the situation worse, including causing more clots during my period. Given that I have family members who have been diagnosed with endometriosis, I have done my own research on the condition and believe that my symptoms are consistent with this diagnosis. How ever they just keep saying it’s painful periods and I need birth control. Am I going crazy or is it normal?

[Els123456]

honestly keep trying with go to get you an ultrasound scan! Keep going and don’t give up, they will only fob you off!

[Rast]

hi. Dont let your gp dismiss this. Ask to be referred to a specialist. I suffered exactly like you for 30 years with my gp suggesting I go on the pill or deal with the pain. I didn’t want to go on the pill as I also wanted to try for children. I did ask my gp for a referral but wasn’t taken serious enough. Don’t let go of this, you definitely have more going on in inside and this is not normal so don’t accept that as an explanation. Once I had the ultrasound and came under a specialist my journey of diagnosis started. Push for it but don’t suffer in silence and don’t ignore it. Good luck!

[Angellouise]

sounds exactly like my daughter 9 years of pain three laproscopic surgeries then finally she got a endometriosis specialist that found her endo. Find a gynaecologist who specializes in endo. I wish you luck

[BloomingMarvellous]

Go to your GP . Directly request an investigation for endometriosis and appropriate referrals. Keep a diary and do a retro one of your cycle and furnish your GP with an actual and electronic copy of it. Ask them to notify you once this referral is done. Do not let them fob you off with “long wait, try this first medication “

Don’t try to achieve anything else on this appt. If you are struggling to be heard I’ve often found that taking a burly male with a very firm gaze and offering a one liner of “she shouldn’t be in this situation- you need to do the right thing and refer this” . It should be deeply unnecessary but sadly the medical profession is proven territory for not actually listening to women as effectively as men. Do what you need to do to get seen there’s time for the medical ethics conversation when you are in a better place.