You are here
Please help - Does it sound/look like endometriosis, ovulation issue/hormonal imbalance, or something else?

I DO:
- Have regular cycles, with a period of 3-5 days
- I have a lot of pain but it's always the FIRST day/hours ONLY (the pain feels like contractions [it comes and goes] and rapid breathing as if I'm in labour; I also have loose bowel movements, feel hot and cold, nausea, and a feeling of being very weak and needing to lay down. I also sometimes feel like a prickly/needles sensation at my fingertips).
I either take a cramp medication and feel better, OR I just ride it out and after I throw up, I fall asleep and feel much better as well (I also noticed that fresh cold air helps me).
**NOTE: I should also add that I don't have severe pain every month, some months I have manageable cramps and I can go about my business normally enough. It's almost like it alternates; one month is good, one month bad, etc...
I DON'T:
- Skip periods
- Bleed or spot in between periods
- Have pain during intercourse
- Have chronic pelvic or abdominal pain
- Have gastrointestinal issues
- Have long or irregular cycles
- Bleed excessively during my period
- Have issues with my back or legs
- Have menstrual pain that persists, even afer taking medication
- Have big blood clots
- Have pain BEYOND the first few hours/first day of my period
- Have painful urination or bowel movements
I am now 30 years old and have been trying to get pregnant for 2 years - no success.
I went to the doctor and had a cycle monitoring (ultrasounds and blood tests). I also had a Full Bladder ultrasound and a Sonohysterogram.
The doctor told me all the results were normal and everything was fine. I had also mentioned the pain the first day of my period, but they said they didn't see anything that would cause it/explain it, and that all was normal.
A second doctor said he thought it might be endometriosis, but in doing my research about the symptoms of endo, I don't feel it really describes me..?
Any ideas if the pain is simply primary dysmenorrhea? The ultrasounds didn't reveal anything abnornal and I don't have issues/pain/symptoms other than the first day of my period.
In looking at my chart for Cycle#5, I think my temperatures are rather low and are quite close to the cloverline (please gnore the spikes on Days 21, 22 and 23 - I had a fever). Preovulatory and postovulatory temps seem low, they really don't increase by much at all after ovulation and they don't continue to increase either - they just remain not far from the cloverline and around the same temperature day after day :S Also, the temperature appears to decrease, instead of increase, right after ovulation? :S
The first doctor I saw did mention that my thyroid level was at 3.04; he said as long as it was below 5 that was okay, but he still referred me to an endocrinologuist to decrease chances of miscarriages. But when I saw the endocrinologist, he said they don't usually treat at that level anymore, and that I was fine.
I'm trying to get to the bottom of my fertility issues; any ideas what I could be dealing with? Does it sounds like endo? Or does it look more like primary dysmenorrhea and/or a hormonal or ovulation issue? Or maybe something else?
Please, any suggestions or direction would really help me. I feel lost and frustrated.
NOTE: The first half of Cycle#4 should not be relied on; that was my first time charting and I wasn't using the thermometer correctly.
Thank you in advance for commenting/replying; I really do appreciate you taking the time to help me.
Since 10/2017CassieLovesCharting
Since 10/2017
Cassie - OvaCue Specialist
Since 12/2019OvaGraph User
Since 12/2019
It’s sad that a medical professional thinks debilitating cramps that are inexplainable is “normal”...
Have you considered seeing an acupuncturist or herbal nutritionist? I have done both and my cycles are much better, lighter, and run like clockwork. I was so intrigued and moved that I am now seeking my degree to become an Acupuncture Physician!
Recently I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism (level of TSH 4.51) but my other hormone were imbalanced as well. I’ve started an herbal routine, diet and lifestyle changes, increased yoga and meditation, and I’ve noticed improvement right away in my energy and overall health. Just a thought! Hope it helps :)
Since 12/2019OvaGraph User
Since 12/2019
Since 10/2017CassieLovesCharting
Since 10/2017
Cassie - OvaCue Specialist
Since 11/2017Beli
Since 11/2017
In terms of my first day bad cramps, I never thought to undergo an acupuncture session because I heard it doesn't actually work and I'm not sure about having needles in that area down there loll It seems scary :/ Again, I never tried it but if you say it worked for you that's something for me to think about :)
How did you both go about selecting a proper acupuncturist and/or herbal nutritionist?
Since 11/2017Beli
Since 11/2017
I'm doing fine, thank you for asking :)
I've been inputting my data through the app but it's been a while that I've logged on to the website to post comments.
I'm currently doing a cycle monitoring so I'm back to square one - I hope that I'll have some kind of answer very soon as to why I haven't gotten pregnant - I will provide updates when my results come in :)
Since 10/2017CassieLovesCharting
Since 10/2017
Cassie - OvaCue Specialist
Since 3/2018yellowplane
Since 3/2018
It’s a weird coincidence that I’ve similar issues as you in terms of dysmenorrhea. I haven never had anyone to understand my pain with. I’ve tried going to multiple docs and got ultrasounds and Pap smear tests done. They all said probably no endo. This is our first month ttc and sadly this month my cycle is all screwed up, it’s probably because of my nervousness. I hope alls well with you now! Looking forward to hear back . Fingers crossed :)
-Love, Yellow
TTC #1,