Hi,

' Major symptom of endometriosis is severe recurring pain. The amount of pain a woman feels is not necessarily related to the extent or stage of endometriosis.

Symptoms of endometriosis can include (but are not limited to):

- dysmenorrhea - Painful, sometimes disabling menstrual cramps; pain may get worse over time (progressive pain)
- Chronic pelvic pain - typically accompanied by lower back pain and/or abdominal pain, painful sex , painful bowel movements
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
- dysuria - Urinary urgency, frequency, and sometimes painful voiding
- Infertility and subfertility. Endometriosis may lead to fallopian tube obstruction.

Some women may also suffer mood swings and fatigue.

In addition, women who are diagnosed with endometriosis may have gastrointestinal symptoms that may mimic irritable bowel syndrome.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometriosis

The only way to confirm and diagnose endometriosis is by laparoscopy or other types of surgery. The diagnosis is based on the characteristic appearance of the disease, if necessary corroborated by a biopsy. Laparoscopy also allows for surgical treatment of endometriosis.

Generally, endometriosis-directed drug therapy is utilized after a confirmed surgical diagnosis of endometriosis.

Lupron depo shot is also a gonadotropin and is used to lower the hormone levels in the woman's body to prevent any growth of endometriosis. The lupron shot is given in 2 different doses a once a month for 3 month shot with the dosage of (11.25mg) or a once a month for 6 month shot with the dosage of (3.75mg).

This puts the body into a "medicated menopause", resulting in side effects such as mild to severe hot flashes or a drop in bone density (which usually recovers after treatment). The therapy is less invasive than surgical approaches.

Let us know if you need any other information and do review with your OBG.

Regards.

Dear Tiffany,
You shouldn't have to suffer so much. You need to see a gynecologist and get an pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. This would check to see if you have fibroids - which are rather common in women past 40. I don't know how old you are? You could also have endometriosis or adenomyosis. None of these disorders will kill you but will make you pretty miserable. Treatment is either hormonal or surgical.  In the meantime Motrin or Advil is a good over the counter pain reducer (and also reduces menstrual blood flow!) Take with a little bit of food to reduce stomach discomfort.

I just had laproscopic surgery for endometriosis.  Your symptoms could all lead to endo.  Do a web search on endometriosis and look at the listed symptoms.  I hope you feel better and keep us updated.  Does motrin help with the back pain?

hi you should post on maternal site there are many infomed ladies that can answer more so than on here. have you seen your gyno about this? have you ever been diagnosed with endometriosis? hopefully you have good ins , call your dr and schedule an appt. best of luck to you. there are other conditions that could be as well (im not a dr) and nothing can be done to help you without professional help. i feel for you i suffer as well. best of luck to you.