Endometriosis Risk & Family History: Understanding Your Symptoms

Question
I have a question about my period.  My greatgrandmother, my grandmother and my aunt all had endometriosis and had to have hysterectomy.  My mom elected to have a hysto. but was never diagnosed with endo.  I have never had painful periods.  They have almost been nonexistent.  I got pregnant when I was 17 and had my first child when I was 18.  After he was born I went on birth control for the first time and was on it for three years.  I chose to come off of it because my husband and I were going to try and have another baby.  He then got deployed to Iraq.  I continued to stay off of birth control while he was gone and even after he came home.  Since I went off of birth control my period has not been the same.  While he was in Iraq I did not have a period the whole time that he was gone and I thought that it was stress related.  But even after he has been back I still have no period but for ever so often.  The last period that I had was six months ago.  My question is can that be related to endometriosis?  My next question is if you aren't having a period how do you know when to take the pregnancy test after having unprotected sex?  We are wanting to have another baby and I don't really know what to do?

Answer
Hi Karisa,

From reading yor question I would have to say, sure, there is a chance that you could have Endo....painful and irregular periods are symptoms of Endo. Many women who have Endo have no pain at all and only find out they have it when they attempt pregnancy and have problems. The fact that Endo runs so rampidly in your family would also be reason for concern. Endo is not always passed down from mother to child but has been found that if you have a parent or sibling with Endo, your chances to have it are even greater.

For your question regarding trying to get pregnant, try an ovulation kit. That will narrow down the times that you are ovulating if you are at all.

I would suggest that you get checked out for Endo and also make sure that your tubes are not blocked to insure that you are ovulating. From what are told me in your letter it sounds as if your tubes may have a blockage. If they do and you do not have it taken care of your chances to conceive are lower and your chances for a tubal pregnancy are higher. If you have the tubal ligation done, then you will know.

Please remember that I am not doctor...these are ideas on how to help only.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to write to me anytime.

Sincerely,

Angie