the only sure way to diagnose is through a laperoscopy.. the symptoms i had that called for a lap was painful sex really bad pms and cramps and when I say really bad I mean like a hot poker rammed through my back twisting my intestines... that said not everyone has the same symptoms I also have chronic back pain, and exhaustion. Also IBS but it is debated if IBS is related or not many women with endo have it... But some of the other ladies with endo might have different problems I know some have chronic UTI's and others suffer from cramps all month and some even suffer from migraines with endo

Thank you Cidekmat! I have no reason to think I have it but now I can't get the what if's off my mind. I went to Dr. Google and looked up symptoms the only one I could relate to was a burning feeling, like a uti, on the first day of my period. I am sure I am worrying for nothing.

a good website to check out is endoresolved

Kristi, my doc did some lab work on me that was supposed to indicate if I had it or not. The lab work came back fine, but I actually had stage 3 endometriosis. When I told the doctor my symptoms during my periods, he said it was classic endometriosis. We did the laser laproscopy to remove it. My symptoms were that I was having severe cramping during my periods after I came off my birth control pills. The doc said that the fact that I did not have the symptoms while on the pill was a sure sign that I had endometriosis. Hope this helps.

If I were you, before dolling out that cash for IVF I'd be asking to have a laparoscopic exam done to make sure you are free and clean Of endo. You're right when you say that you'd hate to have something wrong and then your IVF cycle doesn't work because of it. A lot of women experience endometrosis differently and that's why it's often undiagnosed until one experiences IF. My OBGYN even said that she's seen women with stage 5 endo without symptoms and women with mild endo with heavy, painful symptoms.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

I am starting to believe that I may have endo as well. I have some of the symptoms but, for me, the one that stands out that had caused me to research it is that when AF is here, bowel movements are excrutiating..like sitting on the toilet crying painful. I know of nothing other than endo that would cause that.
I agree with the other ladies. Why risk doing IVF if you think there is a chance of having it? From what I understand, the lap surgery is fairly easy, so it sounds like a win win. I am considering asking for it even now that I won't be the one concieveing (right now atleast) just to be sure that all is well.
Good luck hun!

The only way to diagnose it is a laparoscopy. I had one in July of this year and they found stage 2 endo and removed it. I had no symptoms of endo but my RE wanted to check as I have had three IVF cycles and other than my DH's sperm there was no clear cut reason for it not working. I am thankful for doing it as I will now have a better shot at the next IVF.
Check with your insurance as most will cover it.
I wish you luck!!!!

If you are concerned about endo, I would strongly consider a laparoscopy. Thats really the only way endo can properly be diagnosed. My periods were always short and light with minimal cramping until last year when I discovered I had ovarian cysts. I decided to have them removed laparoscopy and thats when they discovered I have stage 4 endo. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide!

I went on the pill at age 19 because I had such terrible periods. TERRIBLE cramps (i missed alot of school because of it), heavy flow etc. I had cramps sometimes 3 days before I even had a period. I was on the pill for 16 years and when I went off, the symptoms came back. My doc said being on the pill masked the symptoms and helped the cramps. Also, letting it go for long made it worse for me. I had pain in my right side around my ovary around ovulation time and if I had a full bladder, it would cramp when I would pee. I also IBS symptoms.

I had surgery for my endometriosis and she found it on the ovaries, bladder and uterus.....since the surgery I hardly get cramps anymore and can pee with no bladder cramps :) it was totally worth it. Plus, the doc said that removing the endo made me so much more fertile!

Good luck!

Hey :) I agree with the other ladies. Definitely get a lap done BEFORE IVF to diagnose whether you have endo or not.

I am one of those obscure cases of endo where I had no pain, light periods, and AF was like clockwork. The only indictions of something wrong were a family history of endo, not conceiving, and cysts on my ovaries. By the time I had a lap done I was a complete mess inside. My endo was so severe that my tubes had to be removed prior to IVF. Usually insurance companies will cover a lap for endo because endo is considered a disease.

Good luck to you!

I have endo. Hence my name, right? :-)
It is funny because I had a lap for a cyst and the doc told me what they could find (endo), then she said 'but you don't have that, you don't have the symptoms.
I did, but they were so every day for me, I didn't realize something was wrong. I get in a brain fog the week before my period. I also know about the excruciating bowel movements (I have passed out before), plus back pain, discomfort during sex (I wouldn't use the word pain, it's just certain positions hurt so we move), frequent 'UTI's' is a symptom of the evil step sister of endo: IC, which effects 80% of women with endo. Oh, I am also exhausted a lot, caffeine impacts me funny, the list goes on and on.

IVF and endo: so I am having my tubes removed because the endo caused my tubes to become dialated. I found that out from an HSG - have you had an HSG done? Wonky tubes act like a clogged drain and spew toxic fluid into the uterus, making it almost impossible to stay pregnant (the baby dies from the fluid).

But you can't tell if your tubes are that bad without an HSG. A lap doesn't tell you that.

Other problems are that ovarian cysts can form, or the uterus can be misshapened by endo.

What tests have you had to date? Do the symptoms sound vaguely familiar????

Wow. I was never technically checked for endo but I have numerous of the same feelings as Cidekmat. I have everything you've listed besides the cramps all month. My dr. has never suggested I get tested, and I too and now wondering if I should before attempting IUI. The most embarassing part is the IBS. Not many people are willing to talk about it, but my friends and family have to know lol

They say an average of 1 in 8 to 10 women suffer from endo without ever being diagnosed that said I think the numbers are wrong and the real problem is there are many more women who have it but never get diagnosed.. We figure my mom might have had it hense her issues with periods and peri-menopause... so of course this is a concern for me cause if my psychic reading was right and I end up having 2 girls I feel sorry for them actually that is the only reason I constantly say I want boys... so my daughters dont go through this.. oh yeah and painful bowel movements during your period is a common endo symptom apparently I get that as well

I have to add that since reading this i've written my RE to ask if she recommends me getting checked before we start to pay big bucks for procedures. I went to the website (thanks cidekmat) and I have a large amount of the symptoms, many that I have been complaining about since they put me on the pill in middle school. The pill was supposed to help regulate the periods, control the cramping pain, and lighten the load. All the other symptoms appeared shortly afterward. I'm both angry and relieved. If this could get fixed, Maybe getting pregnant won't be such a struggle?! Why would my OB not have recommended I get checked much earlier, when i've had these symptoms for years? Could she be to blame for me having lost all this time?

I have to add that since reading this i've written my RE to ask if she recommends me getting checked before we start to pay big bucks for procedures. I went to the website (thanks cidekmat) and I have a large amount of the symptoms, many that I have been complaining about since they put me on the pill in middle school. The pill was supposed to help regulate the periods, control the cramping pain, and lighten the load. All the other symptoms appeared shortly afterward. I'm both angry and relieved. If this could get fixed, Maybe getting pregnant won't be such a struggle?! Why would my OB not have recommended I get checked much earlier, when i've had these symptoms for years? Could she be to blame for me having lost all this time?