Endometriosis Support Group

Hi. Do you get this near your period?

My stomach swells and is hard. Its can be pretty sore and uncomfortable, constant pressure feeling on my bladder and bowel. I have a small lump (thought to be a pouch of endo) on my left side which swells lots before my period.my tummy feels like its muscley where it swollen, its not water retention and im not constipated, its happened ever since this lump has became more obvious.

I put a hot water bottle on my tummy to help ease pain and make me more comfortable. My tummy is also very very tender.

i had a sonogram it was fine she says! but she thinks it might be endo,so she wants to get me a shot every month,for pain,to see,.not much they can do,

Endo is not viewable by ultrasound at all (I doubt anyone on here has had it diagnosed this way). The only way to tell is if you have a laparoscopy.
It is common to get midline (in the middle) pelvic pain that changes with your cycle (ie. worse at period time), however, MANY things can cause pelvic pain. Your doctor should rule things out and listen to your symptoms (it helps to write them all down, especially if they worsen with your period) and once they get close to determining what it is they may suggest a lap.
Some doctors offer hormonal treatments before diagnosing this, which I think is negligent, but which works for other women. I would suggest reading about the treatments before going ahead, or ask the gals on here.

Princess - it is really common to get severe bloating at period time. I get so big the week before I go up a size in pants and look like I am pregnant (and like you, it is hard, not squishy). Limiting salt helps, but to be honest, I think is it the inflammation and nothing really stops it for me. As for one-sided bloating or a lump, that sounds worrisome, as I have never seen this symptom from women on here before....normally we dont have 'lumps' but instead all over bloating in the abdomen.

well they were looking for cysts,i only have a small one 1.4 the dr. says most woman have them during period,and she did not suggest laparscope,just injections! and going to a gastrologist! i dont know!

i know quite a few people who have cysts which dont bother them, but if you have them and they are a cause of problems they can remove them as far as im aware. i think cysts are quite common?

Reply to utah31: yeh i was really worried when i felt that lump, it was first when i was on period and doing a tummy massage. it hurt, my abdomen becomes so hard, the gp said its prob nothin major..but im seeing teh gynae soon as will deffo tell her to see what she says. Maybe its cysts, adhesions? you press down and rub about..it feels like hard muscle. really odd.


A lap is the only way to diagnosis endo..u should go back to your gynae and see if you can get one?

When i had a sonogram along with every type of bloodwork under the sun, they said my ovaries were swollen larger than normal and other than that "everything looks fine!"

So they gave me the choice of the surgery or not and i said yes do it because i had already spent 2 days in the hospital.

My 30 minute surgery was 2 hours long and they found my endometriosis.
There is always something that can be done. You have to make them listen if they wont and let them know how much this is hurting you.

Tell them you would like them to do an exploratory laparoscopy and see whats going on! You know your body better than anyone else.
Hope youre feeling better!