Endometriosis Symptoms: Understanding Pain & Diagnosis

Question
Hello Martha,

The more I read about Endo, the more I feel I might have it...the pain started in my lower abdomin about 2 months ago. I went to the Gynecologist and she sent me on my way saying it was just a cyst that had ruptured. Well, another month went by and the pain was still there. Not knowing if it could be something else, I went to a general practitioner who referred me to get a CT Scan done. They only found a 12mm cyst (very small). And that is all I know. Now, I have just had my period again, and my ovaries always seem to have a bit of pain as well as my lower abdomin. I definitely started to feel pain 2 days before I began my period this month.

However, I don't have painful bowel movements, pain during sex, or pain during urination...could it still be Endo?

Thanks for your time :)

Answer
Hi Julie
    Well, the odd and mysterious thing about endo, is that is affects every woman differently. The first thing I would do is inquire about a minor procedure called a laporoscopy. This is the only sure fire way to let a doctor look around your abdomen area to decide whether or not endo is present.
    Your symptoms do sound like endo. I have had severe endo since the age of 13 and along the way, I have also had cysts, fibroids, nodules, etc removed and tested...all of which were negative. I have always felt that these growths were in some way associated with endo.
    The fact that you feel pain prior to your period suggests you may have endo.
    My endo got so bad, that I only really had 1 week or so of no pain during any month. Even ovulation was painful.
    The fact that you don't have painful bowel movements, etc. is good...if in fact you do have endo, then it apparently has not affected those areas. And again, it doesn't always.
    I did recently read an article about endo, and they have found that in some women, endo even entered their lungs. So there is no stopping where this disease might go...unless you receive good treatment.
    I would look into the procedure I suggested above. That should tell you everything!
    I hope you find relief! Take care of your self.
Martha