Endometriosis Support Group
Endometriosis is a common medical condition where the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, typically affecting other organs in the pelvis. The condition can lead to serious health problems, primarily pain and infertility. A major symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area.
Hello all,
I would appreciate any advice concerling your experience with thicking of the endometrial wall.
Several years earlier I was tested and told my blood (or urine) test revealed that I was in peri-menopause. However, I had never missed a period, so I was suprised to hear this.
Then, I went into sudden menopause in March of 2012. I began suffering severe hormonal imbalances (hot flashes followed by chills - continuous throughout the day and night). I was then put on Prempro to control the hot flashes.
I had been without a period for 5 months, then I started bleeding. It was a very heavy, long period. My doctor said it probably had to do with my body adjusting to the Prempro. I had another period the following month, and then no more for several months.
Then I started have undersirable side effects from the Prempro and, with the help of a Naturopath, tappered off while trying to incorporated natural alternative treatments in order to keep the hot flashes at bey, however, the Hot flashes returned quickly and severly.
My Naturopath then put me on on Progestone cream and a tincture of Black Cohosh and Sage. It took about two months, but then my hot flashes began to subside, and went away.
One month into the Progestrone cream treatment, I had another heavy, long, painful period.
My Naturopath said it too might be my body adusting to the Progestrone Cream treatment, but cautioned, it was something to keep an eye on.
Well, now that I have expereinced several episodes of this irregular, heavy, painful bleeding since my so called "sudden menopause." Along with what appears to be a returning of hot flashes, and more recently, increased pelvic pain, I wonder if I am in memopause at all.
I wonder if that test several years ago that showed a reduction in homone production was a warning of something else.
Two weeks ago I was experiencing spasms if my vagina. The pain was so severe I was not able to walk for more than a couple of minutes at a time, as every time I got on my feet I expereinced some sort of contractions involving all the tissue around my vagina. I also felt as if my uterus was full. At the end of those two weeks I starting bleeding. It was strange--different. I would have very little blood on my pad when I went to the bathroom, but when I got up from the toilet there would be a lot of blood in the toilet, with some kind of stringy and clot like tissues floating.
I went in for a pelvic exam with my PCP. She decided to have me take a ultrasound which revealed a thickinging of my uterus wall, and a posible polyp.
Now I have not been bleeding for the past week, but my uterus still feels full, and I am expereincing discomfort and a burning spasm feeling involving all the tissue surrouonding my vagina.
Sooo vary sorry for the lengthy post. I just wanted to make sure I didn't leave anything out that might help any of you key in on sharing your knowledge or expereinces with this type of thing.
BTW, I have been tested for thyriod, and the PAP and urine test my PCP took in her office was fine, except for the blood she noted.
Thank you,
rsimmons
Posted on 07/31/13, 02:57 pm
I would appreciate any advice concerling your experience with thicking of the endometrial wall.
Several years earlier I was tested and told my blood (or urine) test revealed that I was in peri-menopause. However, I had never missed a period, so I was suprised to hear this.
Then, I went into sudden menopause in March of 2012. I began suffering severe hormonal imbalances (hot flashes followed by chills - continuous throughout the day and night). I was then put on Prempro to control the hot flashes.
I had been without a period for 5 months, then I started bleeding. It was a very heavy, long period. My doctor said it probably had to do with my body adjusting to the Prempro. I had another period the following month, and then no more for several months.
Then I started have undersirable side effects from the Prempro and, with the help of a Naturopath, tappered off while trying to incorporated natural alternative treatments in order to keep the hot flashes at bey, however, the Hot flashes returned quickly and severly.
My Naturopath then put me on on Progestone cream and a tincture of Black Cohosh and Sage. It took about two months, but then my hot flashes began to subside, and went away.
One month into the Progestrone cream treatment, I had another heavy, long, painful period.
My Naturopath said it too might be my body adusting to the Progestrone Cream treatment, but cautioned, it was something to keep an eye on.
Well, now that I have expereinced several episodes of this irregular, heavy, painful bleeding since my so called "sudden menopause." Along with what appears to be a returning of hot flashes, and more recently, increased pelvic pain, I wonder if I am in memopause at all.
I wonder if that test several years ago that showed a reduction in homone production was a warning of something else.
Two weeks ago I was experiencing spasms if my vagina. The pain was so severe I was not able to walk for more than a couple of minutes at a time, as every time I got on my feet I expereinced some sort of contractions involving all the tissue around my vagina. I also felt as if my uterus was full. At the end of those two weeks I starting bleeding. It was strange--different. I would have very little blood on my pad when I went to the bathroom, but when I got up from the toilet there would be a lot of blood in the toilet, with some kind of stringy and clot like tissues floating.
I went in for a pelvic exam with my PCP. She decided to have me take a ultrasound which revealed a thickinging of my uterus wall, and a posible polyp.
Now I have not been bleeding for the past week, but my uterus still feels full, and I am expereincing discomfort and a burning spasm feeling involving all the tissue surrouonding my vagina.
Sooo vary sorry for the lengthy post. I just wanted to make sure I didn't leave anything out that might help any of you key in on sharing your knowledge or expereinces with this type of thing.
BTW, I have been tested for thyriod, and the PAP and urine test my PCP took in her office was fine, except for the blood she noted.
Thank you,
rsimmons
Posted on 07/31/13, 02:57 pm
well how those symptoms started does not sound like endo but that is not to say it can't be.
Ultrasounds and/or MRI are good first steps but won't show endo. Usually birth control pils are the first step to trying to control irregular periods.
The only way to official diagnose endo is to have surgery (laparoscopy). And i would guess that surgery is the only way to remove the suspected polyp. Before you have a lap to rul out endo or confirm it be sure your surgery is experienced recognizing endo and comfortable removing it (excising it) and any adhesions that may be found. You don't want to have surgery only to be in revocery and they tell you "Yes you have endo but i didn't feel comfortable removing it".
You can look into Pelvic Floor Therapy for what sounds like tight pelvic floor muscles.
P.S. You can never tell my blood in the toilet how much you are bleeding because when it mixes with the water in the toilet it looks like it's all blood and it's not.
I also agree with Whyme.
Good luck with everything.
Thanks for helping me understand some important things to discuss with the GYN my PCP has referred me to.
Sincerely,
rsimmons
I'm so sorry you're going through so much. whyme123 posted what I was also thinking that surgery or a laparoscopy is a very good idea to consider. I struggled in pain going through tests and meds for years before a last result was the laparasocopy. I know it seems very invasive but for me it would have been much less invasive if we went the lap route first. It isn't a difficult surgery unless they decide to work on what they find if they find something. For me, it was same day surgery, yes I was put to sleep, when they explored through my bell button and discovered endo. A co-worker was also having problems. She did not have endo but as a result of the lap they were able to diagnose and treat and she's doing much better. Please let us know how you're doing.
When they got really bad I was getting these contractions and HUGE clots. It hurt to move, and I was dizzy all of the time (turns out I was anemic). I was also bleeding dark blood after my period for about 5 days (and it wasn't just spotting, but full on heavy flow). My endometrial lining was also showing up as thick on U/S.
I had the polyps removed and I'm pretty happy with it. The contractions, clotting, abnormal bleeding, and constant dizziness went away. My endometrial lining also went down to normal.
And on U/S and MRIs my polyps were showing up as possible: endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, scar tissue, and then last but not least polyps. I had them confirmed and removed via hysteroscopy.
Definitely talk with your doctor about your concerns.
Good luck!
Hi guys. I just had my consultation with the GYN. And here is what is going on:
Basically my ultrasouond results raise some flags for possible pre-cancerous tissue (if not the presence of cancerous tissue). She said there were more than one polyp, all near the cervix, but that my cervix itself looked fine. She also said the muscle tissue of my uterus had varied thicknesses, which indicates possible fibroid. My right ovary seems to be MIA, but that didn't concern her. She said that is consistant with my being in menopause. She explained it had probably shrunk, but the left one was there with blood flowing to it, although it too was a little smaller than normal.
She wants to do what she called a day procedure. I will need to be given anesthesia, but as you said, like the kind you receive when you have dental surgery. She will take into account that I am (as she put it) a lightweight (I say, a cheap date), and be very careful with the drug. I will need someone to take me there and drive me home. She said it could take from 1 to 4 hours, depending on how long it will take my cervix to get dilated. She let me know that with my history she will give me a drug to take 4 hours prior to the procedure to help get the dilation started, but that she may also have to use some kind of mechanical device as well. (Ewww and ouch). And she she mentioned DNC or D and C? I don't know which is correct. But only after she used a certain tool to suck in and cllp each polyp off at the neck.
She also made it clear that although she didn't feel I needed to have this done tomorrow, she felt strongly that I should address this within the next 2 months. Then she said at least by September.
Thanks all for your support. I just wanted to let you know my current status with this and thank you again for the information you shared and the kindness you have shown.
Sincerely,
rsimmons