Pregnant with endometriosis

[Mummymego]

so after living with endometriosis, I’m pregnant in my 40s. It’s been a blissful time not living with the pain but I’m worried about life post pregnancy and having those symptoms reoccur. Any recommendations as how to limit the chances of feeling that pain? My doctor has suggested a mirena coil during the c-section but I’m not too sure about it. Any suggestions will be appreciated

[thebird1]

I would definitely have the coil. It's managed my symptoms for the last eight years. Don't get me wrong, the pain didn't go completely but bladder symptoms improved greatly and the monthly period was none existent after the first few months. It was lighter straight away. I can't tolerate the mini pill or combined pill but I've managed with the Mirena as it's very low dose.Many congratulations on your news and good luck with it all x

[scooby24 in reply to thebird1]

Hi, do you mind me asking what your bladder symptoms were? I've recently found out I have endo and have struggled with recurrent UTIs, bladder pain, urgency etc. for years and I'm trying to research what treatment options for endo might help my bladder.

[Mummymego in reply to scooby24]

Hi dear, sorry about that. I didn’t have any symptoms in my bladder. The endo was more on my ovaries and my rectum which made my butt always feel like a hand was going up. Gosh! The pain.

[scooby24 in reply to Mummymego]

Hi sorry, I was meaning to ask thebird1. Congratulations on your news!

[thebird1 in reply to scooby24]

Hi,I had constant burning in bladder/C section scar during ovulation and before, during and after period. I'd have a couple of days relief until it started back up on day 6 of cycle ( ovulated day 9/10). I went back and forth to GP and walk in centres for 10 years asking them to test my urine......thinking it was a recurrent UTI. I'd have urgency and frequency and my urine would change colour and smell offensive every month. It was often negative but sometimes positive.

The coil helped. I found out I have adenomyosis in 2024 as well as endo. I'm guessing that's why the coil has helped. As the uterine lining no longer builds up each month I don't get the same level of pain/ discomfort in my bladder. I'm on the list for a hysterectomy. I've been in medical menopause and recently had HRT. I've had to come off it all as the HRT aggravated the bladder symptoms. I've asked them if bladder endo was seen on MRI but they said no. They've never investigated my bladder x The HRT also aggravated recto- vaginal endo ......it was all stinging/burning alongside the bladder so I know it's endo/ adeno related.

All I know is the coil reduced discomfort by 70% so it's worth a try x I refused the coil at least 3 times but do you know it was the best thing to control symptoms at the time. I had it fitted after my first period after having baby. It's uncomfortable so I'd have it done in theatre!!

All the very best with your decision. All I would say......it was less uncomfortable when taking it out than putting it in x

[bex79]

Hello, congratulations. I would breast feed as long as possible, that kept all my symptoms at bay. I stopped breastfeeding feeding at just over a year old but regretted it and wished I continued. Good luck x

[Gem_214]

Breastfeeding kept my periods away for a year (this can vary though, i think having a baby that didn't sleep much and had lots of night and day feeds helped!) , but even when they returned they were much lighter. When I stopped feeding though they gradually got heavier. My periods are worse post babies but that could also be the peri menopause! I tried the coil and didn't like it but know others that love it.Congratulations on your pregnancy x

[Mimi555]

Breast feed for as long as possible. This suppresses the oestrogen dominant position of endometriosis and stops it growing. The longer the better. I did 13 months and it was bliss, but wish I’d carried on longer. The mirena coil is progestins not progesterone so can help some women, but for others can cause real issues.

Find a dr that uses bioidentical hormones and progesterone not progestins once youv e finished breastfeeding then you can add this in to keep suppressing the oestrogen dominance.

[BloomingMarvellous]

Look at being able to get enough progesterone post partum. Can help with baby blues etc as well as pain and sleeping. Natural progesterones are more effective on this front so look at the likes of Uttagesten and Cyclogest. You can do these apparently in addition to the Mirena coil. Balance App ( based in UK ) has lots of podcasts that you might find handy . From physical side look at @corerecoverypt to help with recovery and improving pelvic floor to manage Endo pain too.

[ThatTimeAgain]

I am a long term endo sufferer with very large fibroids, iv recently had my first baby 4 months early after suffering a miscarriage the year before (he weighed half a bag of sugar and iv almost lost him a couple of times) My periods returned despite expressing and they are even more awful than before! I chose against contraception as I don’t want any synthetic hormones that my body needs to adjust to before/after taking them (it’s all personal preference) some people have issues with contraception and some don’t, I guess it is trial n error until you find what works best for you good luck with your pregnancy & birth! Enjoy every moment x

[ClaudiaGrace]

Have you tried any of the medications? Deinogest or Ryeqo? Worth exploring if not as they are meant to repress it, plus ryeqo is also a contraceptive so if you’re likely to want to take one anyway that does both.