[name_m]Hi[/name_m] momberries!
I went to my gynocologist appointment this morning with a few concerns about my super irregular and painful periods. He suspects endometriosis, but doesn’t want to do the surgery to confirm since I’m so young and it could be unnecessary. I just wanted to see if anyone has experience with this? Is it genetic? [name_f]My[/name_f] mother actually has endometriosis and as a result, had a good bit of trouble getting pregnant at first. If I have a problem, I’d like to know before I try to start a family, you know?
So sorry you are having such painful periods! [name_f]My[/name_f] dr also thinks I have endometriosis because of my long and painful periods (they are regular though). I would have 10-12 days of bleeding and I would bleed so much (and they were so painful) that I would sometimes pass out from the pain. Because of this I was worried that trying to have a baby would be difficult. But my dr told me that a possible cause of infertility can be endometriosis, but having endo doesn’t mean you will be infertile at all. She said that many people have endo and it only causes infertility problems for some (and in many cases surgery is successful to remove much of the endo). I was still very worried when we started TTC but we had our daughter on the second month of trying and our son on the first month of trying. I ended up being extremely fertile in spite of the endo. [name_m]Just[/name_m] wanted to share my story so that you don’t worry unnecessarily. And some other good news…my periods got much better after my first pregnancy.
I’m not a momberry, but I thought I’d add to the discussion. [name_f]My[/name_f] (adoptive) mother had endometriosis; her younger sister also got it after her. She had it in the 90s, so I don’t know what has changed in the medical field. But, I don’t see why he wouldn’t do a laparoscopy to check.
The definitive diagnosis for endometriosis is a diagnostic (possibly therapeutic) laparoscopy. The condition is caused by the same stuff as what lines your uterus and responds to your monthly hormonal swings as to give you periods being found elsewhere outside the womb. This tissue also ‘cycles’ with your monthly estrogen & progesterone surges and therefore you bleed elsewhere in the body. If this tissue lines your ovaries & especially your fallopian tubes it can make it impossible to become pregnant as the tubes are effectively blocked. However, the most common location is the peritoneum-- the lining of your entire abdominal cavity-- hence the painful periods. It’s rather like having appendicitis each month.
And genetics are incredibly important. There is a 5-6 fold increase in women who have a mother or sister affected.
Although like I said the gold standard for diagnosis is the laparoscopic surgery, if it’s clinically suspected then most people try birth control pills-- esp ones that are progesterone-only or high in progesterone-- since progesterone dampens down the uterine lining (estrogen makes it proliferate and grow). Does your doctor want to start you on that first?
Thanks peachie and kakin! It was good to hear your stories. And blade, thanks for being ever helpful. 
He did say that he could put me on birth control (again,) but I really don’t like being on it. I’ve tried several different kinds that wreak havoc on my hormones. Nuva ring for about 6 months, Depo shot for nearly a year, the pills for a couple months, to name some. I told him that I hate the way I feel when on birth control and he said it was probably because I’m on the smaller side of the spectrum (5’2" and 106 lbs.) Although, he didn’t explain why my size has anything to do with it. He also suspects my estrogen levels are higher than normal (but again, the only way to remedy that would be birth control.)
What about Seasonale, so you only get a period every three months? Or progesterone-only?
I haven’t thought about those! Thank you for the sugestions. I’ll be sure to ask his opinion on them of which would be right for me.
I realise this is an old thread, but I was wondering how you were doing, @oiseau. I have endometriosis and I’m only 19. I was diagnosed through a laparoscopy when I was 17. I had very similar symptoms: incredibly painful, irregular periods. If you need anyone to talk to please feel free to PM me! I don’t see why your doctor wouldn’t want to do the surgery just because you’re young: if he finds endo and takes it out, your quality of life may improve immensely. Additionally, even though it sounds scary, laparoscopic surgery is fairly minor. You’ll be up and about pretty quickly!
Good luck! Again, feel free to ask me any questions.
[name_f]Jemima[/name_f]