So confused...

Hi, i've been TTC for 7 months now.  I recently read "taking charge of your fetility" as well.  Anyway, my cycles are somewhat irregular, i get my period every month, but it varies between 28 and 32 days.  I also tend to get mild cramps about a week before my period and sometimes (not all the time) during my period.  I have read in TCOYF that having cramps like that is abnormal and can indicate endometriosis.  Is this true?  I always thought some cramping was normal around this time.  I also went to my doctor for irregular bleeding (sometimes i bleed after sex, not all the time though).  He tested hormone levels, ordered ultrasound, and completed pap and pelvic exam, testing for STD's as well.  All tests were negative except he mentioned my hormone DHSEA(?) was slightly elevated, inidcating PCOS...then he just left it at that and told me not to worry and the bleeding is not caused by anything serious.  he told me if i continue ttc ofr over a year to come back and he will order more tests or refer me to an ob/gyn.  Are my symptoms normal (bleeding) and is the slight cramping normal?  Is it possible i have PCOS or endometriosis?  Thanks.

[Shayne Plosker, MD]

Dear socgirl-

Let me try to clarify for you:

1) Periods every 28-32 days are very regular, and not irregular at all. What counts is whether or not you are ovulatory, and if your periods are this regular I am confident that you are ovulating. Did any of the hormone testing that your MD do involve a progesterone, which could confirm ovulation?

2) Mild cramps are a normal physiologic occurrence. Cramps can also be due to endometriosis, but the only way to diagnose endometriosis is by an operation called a laparoscopy. However, even though endometriosis can contribute to a delay in getting pregnant, doing surgery to correct endometriosis results in only a small benefit, such that most infertility specialists feel that the risks of surgery are not justified unless the pain is severe and debilitating, or unless there is a concerning finding on ultrasound.

I agree with the approach your MD is taking. Infertlity is defined as a year of unprotected intercourse. Given your age, and your regular periods, I am optimistic for you.

[SM247]

Hi!  PCOS and Endometriosis are super common issues women have and have always had, but now everyone likes talking openly about it all.  It's very comforting.  

I can tell you that cramps are normal, that's why they have MIDOL, etc......for cramping.....PCOS symptoms from what I know, abnormal hair growth where women dont' usually have hair, (ig.- face, back...).  Endometriosis, I have that.  From what I was told, they can only diagnose PCOS and Endometriosis at 99.999999% is with blood work, u/s, and a laporoscopy.  I would stress out about it.  But I would for see a gyn!  Our bodies do crazy things!  Don't stress yourself out if you are not positive on the diagnosis!  Endometriosis symptoms I had- painful intercourse, irregular periods, but came every month, super cramps that I couldn't tollerate, serious bloating.  Hope I ahve helped you out a little bit!  How old are you by the way?

[socgirl]

Thanks, your response was very helpful.  I don't really have any symptoms of pcos and not that really of endometriosis.  I have the irregular periods (which i still get every month)...but cramps are not that often and when i do get them, they are not really that severe.  I was concerned about endometriosis because of the irregular spotting is sometimes get,which apparently is not normal or so i've been told.  Anyway, thanks again for your response and i'm 29 yrs. old by the way.