Teenster *HUGS*

It is NO fun being in pain. Not at all.

Lately I find if I'm stressed out or "hold it" (going to the bathroom) for too long I'll have a very bad spasm. But the back to back bcp have worked as a temp solution. I'm hoping that by getting pregnant it'll eliminate the pain, but I know that might not be the case.

My mom has endo and never knew she had it until I was born via C-section. She just had painful periods and figured that was normal. The doctor was surprised that she was even able to get pregnant when they saw all that endo tissue. She had two more kids and then had a hysterectomy.

Carole, you may have Endometriosis. Many people have it and never know it. They may just have pain during periods. I have pain all the time.

These are the stages of Endometriosis that I was told about. I'm about a Stage III.

Stage I, or minimal endometriosis, involves small spots of endometriosis in the pelvis or the ovaries without scarring. There is little evidence that it causes infertility and there is no evidence that surgery is a cost effective treatment. The value of a laparoscopy to diagnose stage I endometriosis is debatable. Many patients conceive without treatment.

Stage II, or mild endometriosis, involves more extensive areas of endometriosis, often with "nodules" in the cul-de-sac on exam. The ovaries can be scarred to the sides of the pelvis making the ovaries immobile. A careful exam and vaginal ultrasound will usually make the diagnosis without surgery. Again, many patients conceive without surgical treatment but surgery can be helpful.

Stage III, or moderate endometriosis, has more scarring and/or endometriomas (collections of endometriosis in the ovaries). Vaginal ultrasound done in the first half of the cycle will detect endometriomas. The presence of an endometrioma is diagnostic for stage III or IV endometriosis. Surgical treatment is indicated.

Stage IV, or severe endometriosis, is like stage III but with either endometriomas in both ovaries, involvement of bowel and/or bladder or very extensive scarring. Surgery is needed for general health reasons. Often IVF will eventually be needed to achieve fertility to bypass the scarring.