https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:57:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/endometriosis-diagnosis-experiences#post-2717152 Mon, 27 Mar 2017 22:01:31 +0000 Gin 2717152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was diagnosed with Stage 3 endometriosis after my lap a couple years ago. </p> <p>I had very heavy/painful periods unless I was on BCP and even on BCP, my periods were still painful unless I was taking prescription naprosyn. My obgyn suspected endo when I was unable to get pregnant and i told her about my painful periods along with pain with bowel movements during my period. </p> <p>I ended up seeing 3 different reproductive endocrinologists who all said they were certain I had endometriosis based on transvaginal ultrasounds - I had huge endometriomas on my ovaries (they look different from just cysts). 2 of the 3 REs recommended that I attempt IVF first (in the tiny chance that my ovaries could be damaged from surgery), then have surgery, and then either use frozen embryos OR try naturally. The 3rd RE recommended that I do surgery first, then try naturally for 6 months, then proceed to IVF. </p> <p>I ended up doing IVF first, which failed partly because they were unable to retrieve most my follicles- the endometriomas were in the way. At that point, I had to do the lap which confirmed my Stage 3 endometriosis. We got pregnant naturally 5 months later. </p> <p>I now have a 12month old baby girl and I am so so grateful for her. I am concerned though because my obgyn saw endo during my C section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/endometriosis-diagnosis-experiences#post-2717144 Mon, 27 Mar 2017 21:01:46 +0000 twodoghouse 2717144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a formal diagnosis, because I chose not to do a diagnostic lap (the surgery). My RE "diagnosed" me based on my history of heavy, painful periods (and pain during sex), as well as the fact that two of my aunts and my sister had been diagnosed with endo. It runs heavily through families. We actually think that my mom and little sister have endo as well, now that we know more about it. But my mom didn't have fertility issues, so she never suspected. My older sister and I only found out after we both had been TTC for 2 years. She did laparoscopic surgery to see if that would help before going to other ART, while my RE suggested going straight to IVF. My sister and I both ended up with IVF twins. Looking back at my history, I should have suspected that my periods were unusually heavy and painful, but honestly, the other women I discussed things like this with (mom and older sister) had the exact same issues. I didn't realize until my informal diagnosis that it's not typical for 13 year old girls to be bleeding through super tampons and overnight pads every hour of the school day. My sister and I used to beg our parents to let us stay home from school because we had cramps, and my dad would get mad at us and tell us to suck it up. But we'd be curled up in our beds crying from the pain. I just thought that was what everyone went through because all the women in my family had that same experience. I wish I'd known earlier so I could have been on birth control all that time and try to save some of my fertility (I never took hormonal birth control prior to TTC). I'm definitely going to be aware of that for my own daughter, since there's a genetic link and she could very well have Endo as well. I'm wishing you good luck with your TTC journey. I know there are women here with Endo who were still able to get pregnant on their own. I hope some of them chime in too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/endometriosis-diagnosis-experiences#post-2717136 Mon, 27 Mar 2017 20:43:42 +0000 goodnightelisabeth 2717136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My RE thinks I may have endometriosis based on my symptoms of painful and heavy periods that are getting worse with age. Although I’ve been suffering from nearly debilitating cramps for the last few years, everyone always told me “you would know if you had endometriosis.” And I always thought my regular OB would have diagnosed it, too. Or it would have appeared on an ultrasound. But my RE was the first to tell me the only true way to diagnose it is surgery. I didn't know that!</p> <p>I’ve read a bit about the stages and now realize that it’s totally plausible that I could have stage 1 endo. After two years of TTC I'm getting quite nervous about that possibility...although it would certainly validate the pain I've been in.</p> <p>Can anyone with endometriosis share the process of a diagnosis? Did your symptoms get worse with age? How long did it take for your doctor to diagnose it, and how?</p> <p>Thank you in advance :) </p>