14 replies to this topic

[Ellisx]

Dear Maria,

I have started experiencing the same things as you when I was 16. It took a very long time for me to find a competent gynecologist who finally said that I most probably had endometriosis. I recommend seeing a gynecologist of course to determine the cause of your pains. The symptoms you are describing are very reminiscent of what they call secondary and tertiary dysmenorrhea, and these are usually caused my an underlying medical condition like, for example endometriosis or pelvic problems etc

Now if you do have endometriosis, there are 2 possible treatments that can help (most common ones). Some women choose hysterectomy and have their womb completely removed, but you could also go for a progestagin pill treatment. This is a progesterone only pill that you take without breaks, so most likely you will stop having periods. These pills do tend to cause acne, but if you have a good gynecologist, you can combine this pill with what they call anti-androgen hormones like cyproterane acetate or something. Both me and my friend had this treatment and it worked miracles.

The pain you feel is caused by hormones and you would need to find out for yourself what exactly your hormonal imbalance is. Most sources on the internet blame estrogen for the heavy pains that come with endometriosis.

I would definitely advise you to see a good gynecologist and try out the progesterone-only pill first before going for hysterectomy. It has truly improved my life. I used to live in constant fear that I would suddenly faint because I would get random cramps that were so excruciatingly painful that I would lose consciousness... I even had trouble breathing...

I have now been taking a progesterone pill called Lutenyl for a year (not very common outside of France and Belgium) but there are many of these pills out there and they can really help with your symptoms... Like I said, they do tend to cause acne because they are androgen hormones, but you can complement the treatment with a good anti-androgen (it would then be like most combination pills estrogen+progesterone), but without the break week so you don't have your hormonal fluctuations that cause you so much pain) Also, I would recommend to try the progesterone pill on its own first because not all women report acne. Most probably your pains will be sorted and then you could focus on the acne. I know how much stress this condition causes and the stress also exacerbates the acne... After you got rid of the pains, you could treat the acne externally or with antibiotics if you wish (progesterone can be combined with antibiotics! no problem at all!) or you could choose to take a bit of anti-androgen hormones a few days of the cycle (usually 15 days a month)

Please let me know if you have any further questions and of course I do apologize for my chaotic writing! I have been doing nothing but researching this condition over the past 5 years... and I have tried almost everything, progesterone was the only thing that helped me...

Good luck, I know what you are going through!

xx Ellis

[Ellisx]

Oh yes,
I just wanted to add: I am by no means a drug promoter! I chose to leave out the anti-androgen hormone because I just didn't want to stuff my body with extra hormones. I also can't tolerate any antibiotics...
All I am taking now is the minimum amount of progesterone to keep the pain away and I am treating my acne externally with gentle soap, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, BP and Jojoba oil...

So please don't feel that I am advising you to go and stuff yourself with drugs! I just know that my condition was so serious it really called for a progesterone pill that I could take continuously...

It has caused some acne to flare up, yes, but I am managing it now with natural methods and I am far happier doing that than going through so much pain! And it is really improving!

Again, dear, good luck!

xxx Ellis

[hina2011]

I havent had any of these major issues except acne. However, I do feel sorry for your pain. Just my 2 cents, have you ever tried any sort of yoga or meditation? I heard that helps a lot in these pains and all. Thats not the ultimate final solution, but will definately keep you at bay..

[AJT INDIA]

hi maria, Don't worry. Make sure u are having minimum 8 glasses of water daily.
And Fruits /veg- apple,orange,carrot,lemon..etc
Try to be happy, always happy.. don't bother about it much. If you have any acne spots or mild scarring
u can use glyco A cream 6% as initial.It will helps to reduce all marks.
Aloe-vera is good for skin.And, definitely yoga is a good exercise.
The main medicine is happiness.Dont worry...If we get so much bother or anxious about our health related matters
then it would be endless..So be happy..always be active with family and friends.It will help..i promise..

[coffe queen]

hi i had severe endemetriosis and always had troubled skin, firstly go to your doctor get a diagnosis i had numerous ops and enforced menopause i controlled my acne with retin a perscribed by my doc then was told if i wanted to have children would have to start asap years of ivf and i now have little boy no more endometriosis but scars and acne because i could not continue retin a when trying to get pregnant, i am now trying a generic retin a but i wanted to say please get medical help for these pains i never thought i wanted children but when youre told you cant you suddenly really think about it, i dont know if theres a direct link between the two but hormones definately have an effect there is help out htere i sometimes felt like saying just give me a hysterectomy but dont think that would have helped my skin or my body please get help, as scarring on the face is nothing compared to the scars across my abdomen from the ops dont get down please get help.

[AJT INDIA]

Maria, Actually you have some knowledge about everything and you are complaining about your faith!!
Do you know the difference about ignorance, little knowledge and real knowledge??
Ignorance is blindness.
If someone has no knowledge about health, he/she would be happy with whatever pain or discomfort.Because they don't bother or doesn't have any idea about the possibilities of that pain.
So they are always happy. However, one who has perfect knowledge he/she will not worry abt anything unnecessarily.Because they are proficient about the subject .
But, a little knowledge is dangerous. That is what happening with you.
Actually and honestly, all these worries are useless and absurd. Don't, make other real health problems,
(especially psychological) due to your anxious with this temporary discomfort.
Be more strong..try to develop self respect...confidence....happiness and think aboout your studies and
career seriously.If you have severe pain pls consult a doctor.For the acne problems you have
the real medicine-Aloevera. Thats enough to heal pimples properly. Do you know?
Pimples are not a problem, but scars. If your pimples usually left without scarring means god is with you.
So, dont worry about anything.be happy ..and concentrate on studies.ok

Do not let your mind to think about these unwanted things.... be happy,calm and active:)

[crystal_willow]

Hey,

I've just been diagnosed with endo so I am also quite scared of what the future will hold for me regarding pain and adhesions inside.

I am sorry some people have been rude to you about this.

There is a good website like acne.org online which I link to in the video I just made so go look at the video description on youtube.



I hope this very informal video amuses/informs you xx