What do I do now?

[dkboisvert]

I am 22 years old and have been suffering from painful periods for as long as I've had my period. Three years ago, after seeing a gyno and complaining about the horrible pain that was my period, I had my first pelvic ultrasound. They found nothing, so I continued on, taking birth control here and there. I've recently gotten back on birth control, switching from Yaz to OrthoTriCyclin Lo. Over the past year though, I've gained about 20 pounds and the pain during my period has gotten much worse. I am now experiencing stabbing, quick pains in my left, lower abdomen. Of course, my train of thought was, "okay, it's not my right side so it's not appendicitis, I'm ok". Well, I saw my gyno and she felt my left ovary was enlarged so I got a second pelvic ultrasound. They found cysts on my ovary and fibroids in my uterus.

I saw a gyno again who reviewed the ultrasound and said what I may be suffering from is endometriosis. He suggested that once I begin my placebo pills during my birth control, to start taking ibuprofin. Do that for three months, come back and if nothing changes, I'll go on Lupron. If my pain goes away, more than likely it's endo.

My main concern at this point is the looming possibility that I may be infertile. Is infertility in endo 100% or does it vary woman to woman, case to case? Is losing the weight once I've gained it due to my increase in estrogen hard to do? Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I stop taking the birth control to lower my estrogen but risk being in pain as a result of stopping the pill?

I'm basically just scared because three people told me I'm so young to be experiencing these things now.

HELP :(

[mamadks]

I have had severe endometriosis for over 12 years now.  Is your GYN specialist in Endo?  After years of unanswered questions and severe menstrual cramps I found a Dr that specializes in Endo and other Infertility issues. We were able to conceive 3 months after my laproscopy were he removed my appendix because endometriosis was completely covering it. It is a good idea to get second opinions on the type of treatment you should be on.  Lupron was one of the meds I was on briefly because of side effects I stopped taking it.  
Take Care

[maggiemay2007]

You are young, but people can get endo at any age. I have had some success with changing my diet. Limiting the amount of meat and especially cheese I consume. This may help you with your symptoms. I would discuss with your doctor your concern with fertility if you plan to have children. It is my understanding  that endo can only be accurately diagnosed via laparoscopic surgery. This procedure is used to diagnose and treat endo. They will look around inside your pelvic cavity and remove any
cysts and/adhesions. I don't recommend Lupron because this will put you into instant menopause and I read about the horrible side effects online about Lupron, so I would
research that drug if you haven't already been given the drug.


Take care.

[Sagittarius]

I experienced chocolate cysts, endo, blood tickening and tumor on my right ovary at the age of 19, when I lost my rught ovary, and since than I am trying to save my left ovary (because I also have cysts on it) with BCP and medical procedures, until I decide to start TTC.
More and more young women (girls) are suffering from this kind of gyno problems, at young age. So, that's not so unusual.
And, about infertility: I think that it depends from women to women. There are different cases. I know women who don't have this kind of gyno problems and can't have children or it's too difficult and other women with these kind of problems who can have and have children. The conceving proces may last longer and maybe the whole proces is harder than usual when you have some gyno problems, but it doesn't have to be like that in every case.
And dealing with this kind of problems is not so pleasent experience: pains, BCP, medications, surgeries, mood changes, weight changes... But, we must do everything that we can so we can be healthy and happy as much as we can; we must take care about ourselves and to be weel-informed about everything connected with our medical problems. This forum is very helpful, because everybody is sharing experiences and you can learn a lot form different experiences, eventhough they may not be same as yours.
Take care and have a nice day!
P.S. I am taking Yasmin pills (for 5 years now) and I am very satisfied with them (as much as anyone can be satisfied with medications) because there aren't any serious side effects (at least in my case).