I am a 27 year-old married female. I am getting anxious to get pregnant, but we still would like to wait a year or so. The problem is, I think I may have endemetriosis (sorry, sp??). My mother had a complete hysterectomy at 34, and her doctor said her endemetriosis was very bad when he actually was able to see her uterus and examine it when it was removed (he said she'd probably actually had the endemetriosis since high school). I went on the pill at 17 for severe cramps. The problem is that I think the pill may be masking the endemetriosis. For 10 years, my periods were completely normal. Over the last year, however, I have had much more intense cramping and more irregular bleeding during my periods. For example, two months ago, I had an extremely heavy period, probably the heaviest I've ever had on the pill in 10 years. Then this month, I think I "got" a period, but it was so light that I only had a few spots of blood. Also, I used to routinely start my period on 3 or 4 days after stopping the inactive pills. Over the last 6 months or so, however, I haven't started my period until it was time for me to start the next pack. All this is just out of whack for me. I don't want to seem like a hypochondriac, however, by going to the doctor. Has anyone suffered from this disease while on the pill? If so, what were your symptoms like? If my doctor told me I needed to get pregnant tomorrow due to possible infertility, I would, although it's not the best timing. I just don't want to make a big deal out of this if it's probably not endemetriosis. On the other hand, I don't want to run the risk of becoming infertile due to the disease. Advice anyone??

The only way to know for sure if you have endo is to get a laparoscopy. I had similar symptoms to you and have endo. However, I always had a period...never just spotting. Endo is genetically linked according to several studies.

I would say that if you have insurance, go to your GYN, describe your symptoms and request that he refer you to an RE that will be able to work with you.

Babydust,
April

Just a little info for you girls. I have a niece that has endo and was told after surgery 8 years ago that she would never have a baby. She and her DH adopted a beautiful baby boy. A year later she started going for accupuncture and is now pg. 7 mo. If all else fails....give it a try. What have you got to lose?
Vickey :D

I have endometriosis and will tell you that if you have ben on the same birth control pills for 10 years, you should probably be switched at some point to a higher dosage. Especially if your cycle is not regulating as it did before. But if you have recently went off them to try and get pregnant, that could explain you cycle fluctuation as well. What i do knoe is that the pill will not increase endometriosis, but GYN's will normally put you on it to slow the or even stop it from mastizing. You may have to work harder at getting pregnant, but from my understanding that once you are the endometriosis ceases, but can resume after pregnancy. Your pills or sever PMS could be triggering your migraines as well. Research Tahitian or Hawaiin Noni in association to both issues.