“Pain is the most common symptom. It may occur on one side or both sides of the abdomen, around the abdomen, deep inside the pelvic cavity, in the lower back, or in the rectum. While about half of all women have pain during menstruation, the pain of endometriosis is often different. Endometriosis may be indicated by pain that is prolonged or gets worse as menstruation continues. The pain can be severe enough to interfere with work and social activities for one or more days during a period.

Pain during and after intercourse is a common symptom of endometriosis. It is felt deep in the pelvis and tends to be worse if intercourse occurs just before during deep intercourse or if sexual activity is vigorous (although women without endometriosis can also have pain in these cases). Discomfort may last for several hours. This pain is probably caused by pressure on adhesions (scar tissue)or active endometriosis and can often be reproduced during a gentle vaginal examination by a doctor.

If patches have attached to the bladder, a woman may have pain when passing urine, a frequent need to urinate, blood in the urine or aching in the bladder are.

Other important causes of pelvic and abdominal pain also need to be considered and may include:

-bowel related causes, for example, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation

-bladder conditions such as interstitials cystitis

-hormonal causes, for example, prostaglandins and other substances that are released during the menstrual cycle can cause diarrhoea, changes in bowel habits, cramps and nausea.

Fatigue occurs differently among patients. Most commonly, it occurs throughout the month or around the time of menstruation.

Some women with endometriosis have no symptoms even when they have severe endometriosis. Conversely, a mild case can cause intense pain and other symptoms. No one knows how endometriosis causes pain and why some women are affected more than others.

Sometimes it may only be diagnosed when tests for conditions such as infertility are carried out. There is often a poor correlation between the visual extend of endometriosis and a women’s symptoms.”

Extract taken form Understanding Endometriosis – A Guide for Women. By the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obsterticians and Gynaecologiest – Edition Number 1.

My Experience with Chronic Endometriosis:

I have been suffering from Endometriosis for about 7 years maybe much longer. However it only become crippling the last 3-4 years. The pain became so bad I thought I was having a mental breakdown and couldn’t pinpoint what was causing my pain. I had been putting up with painful periods from the first time I had a period. About 3-4 years ago I experienced acute pelvic pain that never went away. Although I put it down to muscle aches it was so bad I could NOT sleep comfortably, gave up the gym because it was too painful, and stopped wearing jeans. I was told by many naturopaths I was just stressed but it was much more than that. I also believed conventional medicine couldn’t help. There is so much to tell. But I nearly died because it became so painful that it was in agony going to the toilet to poo or wee, or bend or twist or sit in a chair. I was in so much pain I couldn’t have any one touch me.

To cut a very long story short I had many of the symptoms above. As a result of the toilet pain I became constipated because I stopped eating fibre and so many other foods because I thought it was food that was making me sick, (but it wasn’t). I got internal haemorrhoids and annual fissures at the same time. I didn’t know how I would ever get through.

I got down to 37kg. I felt I was walking a fine line between life and death, the situation became critical. My mother now started listening to me because she realised the seriousness of the situation. It has been one year since I got diagnosed but as a result of the diet restrictions due to the endometriosis I got constipation and internal haemorrhoids, and annual fissures which made the pain 10 times worse along with massive weight loss and restricted movement.

Well today one year latter I am moving freely, its still sore and causes me massive stress and anxiety, however I have managed to go from 37kg to 56kg. Every day has been struggle, but it has been getting easier. I am still taking neurophen plus 3 times a day and at night a few drinks to relax at night. ( I don’t even drink or like taking tablets, but I need relief).

I have been using bio identical progesterone cream (8% everyday with no breaks) and this has been making a big difference. It may resolve the issue completely in another 6 months but I can’t wait any longer I want my life back The cream has stopped my period pain all together for the first time in 37 years of life. I no longer have painful periods. And it seems that after 6 months of use it may have stopped my period. I haven’t had one for two months. Fingers crossed. No period no problems. I can feel that the pain is continuing to reduce slowly but is still causing stress anxiety and restricted movement. I haven’t been to the gym for 6 years and desperately want to go. My new specialist, who seems great, said it is likely to be left over from scar tissue and deposits that have not healed.

Against every fibre of my past being i have opted for surgery. I am now completely open to the treatment and feel confident it will finally resolve the issue in combination with continued use of bio identical progesterone cream. The surgery will remove any remaining deposits and scar tissue which hopefully will eliminate the remaining pain. (It hurts after going to the toilet, after twisting, driving a car, wearing a seat belt and any exercise other than walking (and two weeks ago even working was really painful). I am 36 years old and feel 60.

Anyway my surgery is 10 days away and I am hoping it is the answer to my prayers (with continued use of my bio identical progesterone cream). I have been avoiding this for years certain that surgery was never the answer and that my body could heal itself. Well it hasn’t and I want my life back, so in we go. Plus so many friends and family said it was in my head and never believed I had endometriosis. I had a ultra sound and it showed nothing however did highlight some free fluid which can indicate inflammation, however until they cut me open they won’t know for sure. I can feel a slight lump in my pelvis and when I press on it, it’s very painful.

My endometriosis Symptoms are:
• Burning in pelvis
• Cutting sensation in my pelvis
• Tenderness in my pelvis
• Slight lump in my pelvis
• Painful driving
• Painful sitting
• Painful going to the toilet
• Pain which has destroyed my sex life
• scared to travel due to pain in pelvis
• anger depression, and anxiety, thinking I am going crazy but actually experiencing intense pain
• lost income of about 4 year X 75,000
• nearly lost my partner and house due to financial problems

It appears as if all this can be fixed/controlled: with SURGERY & continued use of Bio identical Progesterone Cream 8%.

Stayed tunned and if you have a similar storey or something to share email me klarking@btoxicfree.com

I will report back to you in the next month or so to let you know if my dreams have come true and life is back to normal, I am very hopeful. If this turns out for me as hoped I will shout the information from the roof tops. But just wanted to let people know about my experience as it may shed light for others.

So stay tunned..

Laproscope for Endometrosis

- What to expect

Hi you can read heaps of stuff on the internet what to expect.

I had my surgery nearly five weeks ago, it will be five weeks in two days. The hip and pelvis incision have healed but the belly button is still really sore. I am told by the doctor it will probably take another week. I am dying to get to the gym and start exercising but I cant do anything to stretch the area until it has fully healed. I found the whole operation really painful, I was on Endo (morphaine based pain killers) for 3 weeks before switching to panadine extra strength. The good news is that I no longer have pelvis pain. They removed endo and 3 cysts from my ovaries which is great. So the surgery was definately worth while.

If you have any comments to add please do so. Share you experience with others.