I'm new to these forums and wondering if some of you could help. I'm 23 years old and have been on the contraceptive pill since I was 18 due to very painful periods. These started soon after I got my period at age 15. The cramps were unresponsive to any over-the-counter pain medications so I was taking Nurofen Plus every month. This was good however, I needed to take it regularly as the pain relief didn't seem to last more than 2-3 hours. The cramps also resulted in me having to take days off school and such because after taking the Nurofen, I'd be too tired/drowsy to be very functional anyway. After going on the contraceptive pill, I noticed a big improvement. Most months the pain is now minor and generally requires little in the way of pain relief. So all was going well until...
Fast forward to mid last year when I got together with my current partner. I was not sexually active prior to meeting him. One day, a month or two into this aspect of our relationship, I got this pretty painful cramp in my pelvic/lower abdominal area during the uphill part (for lack of a better description ) of foreplay. I also had this weird feeling in the same area before/after going to the toilet. I went to the doctor and he said it was probably a UTI (however I didn't have any symptoms of burning, etc) and put me on antibiotics. The symptoms seemed to disappear after a few days. The second time I got similar symptoms he said it could be a "soft muscle cramp" issue as the urine test didn't show any infection and put me on tablets for that. It seemed like it got better for about 2-3 months then they happened again. I went back and purchased the same cramp tablets and it cleared up again.
Now, last night I was with my partner and got this really severe pain in the same region, again during foreplay. This time it seemed to last a lot longer and happened as I was approaching climax. I feel really bad as it ruined the mood and he was also concerned that he did something wrong to cause the pain. I assured him he didn't but I'm really worried if this becomes a common feature of our relationship. I also get the same weird pain sometimes in the middle of the night and they wake me up. At times, this is also combined with bleeding or weird discharge (sorry if TMI). I'm thinking that all of the above could be attributed to endo but I wanted to get some other opinions.
Possibly - alot of women with endo experience pain during intercourse and climax. This can be caused by adhesions, etc acting on the ligaments and muscles associated with climax and penetration.
Many women with endo have severe pain as you describe - your story could be mine - everything's similar - the school stuff, etc. But that said, some women can have active endo without symptoms.
I would get a referal to a gynae and get it sorted sooner rather than later.
Thanks for your replies. I'm not sure about PCOS as I'm quite small and have clear skin. I am using Rogaine atm though, but I thought it was unrelated. This is a bit of a dilemma now
I don't have every symptom of PCOS. I don't have acne or a great deal of excessive hair. There are so many different types of PCOS. But i think you should speak to your doctor or better yet see a gyno.
Yep, I'm making an appointment at the endo clinic at Freemason's Hospital tomorrow. Also, forgot to add that before going on the pill, the gyno I saw recommended I have an ultrasound to check up on things and it came back normal. Not sure if that changes anything. Was over 5 years ago though
I had an ultrasound when i was 19 after having my appendix out, i was still having pain in that area 6 weeks after the surgery and i should have been all healed. The lady overlooked my ovaries and she measured them and she said they were normal size and we both really healthy. Then when i started to have problems i had another ultrasound which was 18 months later and my left ovary has lots of cysts and my right has a few and my ovaries are larger than normal so in 18 months my ovaries turned poly cystic.
Thanks so much Pretzel. The only thing is that I'm currently on the contraceptive pill which is helping with my period pain a lot. It's mainly the other pains that I've described that are the issue. Although I'm not going to be on the pill indefinitely, so would still need to deal with that I guess. Just hope I'm not seen as overreacting.
You're very welcome! I'm glad to hear that the pill is at least helping with your period pain. Have you ever tried to take the pill continuously for a few months non-stop to see how that is for you? That is what my gynae recommended for me, but I had to go off the pill due to migraines and high blood pressure problems so unfortunately I haven't been on the pill since last September and I'm guessing that's why my periods have become so horrific again.
I would recommend that before you think of taking your pill continuously though that you discuss it with your gynae.
Do you have any plans to TTC anytime soon? (If you don't mind me asking). The reason that I am asking is because if you are, make sure to tell your gynae when you see him on Monday.
All the best and good luck. Let me know how you go.
Last edited by Pretz; August 29th, 2009 at 09:30 PM.
Yep, that's what I'm doing atm. I take the sugar pills every 3-4 months so it works out well. Not TTC for a few years at least I think, as me and my partner are still studying (we're both 23). Will let you know how it goes on Monday. Thanks again
Could this be endo?
) of foreplay. I also had this weird feeling in the same area before/after going to the toilet. I went to the doctor and he said it was probably a UTI (however I didn't have any symptoms of burning, etc) and put me on antibiotics. The symptoms seemed to disappear after a few days. The second time I got similar symptoms he said it could be a "soft muscle cramp" issue as the urine test didn't show any infection and put me on tablets for that. It seemed like it got better for about 2-3 months then they happened again. I went back and purchased the same cramp tablets and it cleared up again.
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I'm glad to hear that the pill is at least helping with your period pain. Have you ever tried to take the pill continuously for a few months non-stop to see how that is for you? That is what my gynae recommended for me, but I had to go off the pill due to migraines and high blood pressure problems so unfortunately I haven't been on the pill since last September and I'm guessing that's why my periods have become so horrific again.
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