Heavy Menstrual Bleeding & Endometriosis: What to Do?

Question
I've been menstrating for about 2 and a half months and every now and then it seems to get very heavy and there are pieces of something mixed in with the blood.  I was wondering if that could be a sympton of endometriosis.  My mother had to have a hystorectomy due to endo and I am some-what worried.  Any advice on the matter?

Answer
Hi Amber,

Thank you for writing to me. I would suggest going to a doctor just to be on the safe side and find out about the "pieces of something". This is not a sign of Endo so I wouldn't be too concerned about that. Although having something coming out of you when menstrating is not something I would consider normal either. It may be of no great concern but it is better to have things checked out.

If you start having a lot of pain with your period then I would start looking into an Endo diagnosis. Usually pain is the most common symptom.

There have been studies linking Endo and heredity. It is possible but it is not known for sure. So many women have Endo it is hard to tell if it can be passed on from family or not because it is bound to be that a mother and daughter will both have it because of the astounding number of women who suffer and will suffer from it.

Again, get checked out but don't be overly concerned unless you start showing Endo symptoms.

Sincerely,

Angie