Is it possible to have PCOS and Endometriosis?

[painpaingoaway]

So I already know that I have PCOS, but my mom and grandma both had severe endo! I have researched both conditions, but PCOS never talks about chronic pain before,during and after menstruating, and pain during and after intercourse. My bowels are very messed up and I get really bad pain in my rectum. That is where my mom had a lot of it. I have no idea. None of my docs will do laparascopy. I have only had one U/S and a very long sharp vaginal probe, I forget what that is called. My blood clots are gigantic and never ending. I need some input from you intelligent ladies!!! I have been on the pill for 8 days now and can feel my cysts filling and popping! So much relief afterwards though.

Bethany

[DebiR]

Boy it sure sounds like what I had when my endo was really bad.  I don't know much about the other condition though.

[Gatsby]

Perhaps you could give your dr a call and let her know what you are going through each day.  Keep a journal of every symptom and then go over it with her.  I know it can get crazy and you forget once you are in the office.  I really hope you get some relief soon, you have been in pain for too long.  Godbless
~Tascha

[painpaingoaway]

I only have about 5 or less and they last anywhere from 1-3 mo at a time w/ out treatment, during that time I usually lose so much blood I have to go to the ER and get an IV and 2 pain shots to even remotely help the pain. I have a ton of extra manly body hair, mustache, hair on cheeks, sideburns, and a thick happy trail.:( Before I went in for that U/S a year ago I thought it was endo so did my mom. When I got my results back, they were sent to me and right on the paper my doc said "You have PCOS unlike endometriosis like you thought" No kidding! That was a big slap in the face. He also gave me a packet of info. I gained 80 lbs and it has been hell ever since. So during the year since I was diagnosed no other docs have questioned it. I am making sure though that is why I asked the question. I am just waiting for results. I have about six days. She tested my thyroid,2 diff pcos hormones, diabetes, male hormone, woman hormone and I think that is it. So when I get my results I will know and keep everyone posted. I too doubt that it is namely PCOS, I have always thought it was severe endo.

[painpaingoaway]

What are you trying to say? I just have so much on my mind. Could it possibly be both? I have no idea!

Bethany

[PPhelps]

Right now I'm going back to a specialist to see I have endo again. In 2001 I had a lap for severe endo. It was between Uterus and bladder. I had severe pain when using the bathroom. I told my doctors it was like I was being ripped open. It was a tearing pain. And I had huge blood clots. The icing on the cake was I couldn't walk I was in so much pain while the circus is in town (as my DH says).

[painpaingoaway]

Yeah the pain in my rectum hurts so bad sometimes I can't walk. Good luck with the specialist. I hope and pray they don't find any more endo. So you had sugery in 01? And now the pain is recurring after about 5 years? You poor gal!!! I hope you are having a couple of good days among all the horrible. Your DH is hilarious!! haha

Bethany :)

[MickeyVicki]

Hmmm, I have never researched this one - a possible combination of endo and PCOS - but at the moment I cannot think of a reason why a woman could not have both conditions at once.  The diseases are the result of two different tissue functions.  The endometriosis is the result of endometrial tissue implants simply being located in the wrong place.  The PCOS is a different scenario altogether, involving "endocrine disorders" in a manner of speaking.    I am thinking this one "out loud" so here it goes --- the   primary problem with PCOS is that the ovaries experience "disfunction junction" of the normal cyst and ovulation process, with it basically going awry, what with the ovaries having improper cyst formation (often multiple cyst formations),  ovulation or  perhaps not having ovulation, and  then improper cyst resolutions.  I know for a fact that even if ovulation DOES NOT occur, then the woman will still experience menstruation at some point.  I  myself am currently  having cycles in which I do not ovulate.   Anyway, reduced ovulation, whether by PCOS or by BCPs or by pregnancies, reduces the chance of ovca.

So,perhaps it is rare or rather uncommon for women to have both conditions, but I am not at the moment seeing how the conditions can be mutually exclusive.  Maybe we need to do some internet research here.

Last but not least, start keeping a chart of your monthly cycles.  Note the date the period begins, how many days are in each cycle, and what problems you experience during ANY point in that cycle.

[MickeyVicki]

Check out this page, and page down to question number 73, and click on that:

http://www.inciid.org/faq.php?cat=infertility101&id=2#138

(Does this mean that I know more than your doctor??!!)

[JGMom]

Hi - It sure sound like you have more going on than PCOS. It really does sound like you could have endo too from your description of pain.  I don't think the 2 are mutually exclusive.  It is more like the Drs find one and then attribute everything to that.  If the Dr you have now won't listen to you - even w/ a family histor of endo - you may want to find a different Dr.  That snobby note he wrote to you on your results was uncalled for!  Here are a few published articles on the coexistence of PCOS and endo that I found.  I'm sure we could find more, but I just wanted to get something out to you so you know you're right.  Listen to your gut instinct on your health.  I think we are usually right if we remember to do that and don't let ourselves get intimidated.  Also, they can't tell everything from imaging.  I just had a lap and there was much more there than showed up on U/S, CT or MRI.  Hang in there!

Obstet Gynecol. 1989 Oct;74(4):650-2. Related Articles, Links  


Coexistence of polycystic ovary syndrome and pelvic endometriosis.

Singh KB, Patel YC, Wortsman J.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport/New Orleans.

Pelvic endometriosis was observed in 15 of 91 women (16.5%) with laparoscopically confirmed polycystic ovary syndrome. There were no significant clinical differences among those with and those without endometriosis. The groups were of similar age, parity, and ponderal indices and had similar incidences of oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, and infertility; the serum concentrations of LH, FSH, LH/FSH, prolactin, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were also similar in each group. However, women with polycystic ovaries and endometriosis presented more frequently with regular menses (40 versus 14.5%; P = .05) and less frequently with secondary amenorrhea (0 versus 38.2%; P = .05) and galactorrhea (0 versus 9.2%; P = .05) than the women with polycystic ovaries alone. Endometriosis appears to be a coincidental finding in polycystic ovary syndrome, and its development does not modify significantly the clinical picture or biochemical profiles of these patients. However, menstrual patterns seem to be affected.

PMID: 2797642 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 1996;38(3-4):71-3. Related Articles, Links  


Polycystic ovaries in association with pelvic endometriosis in infertile women diagnosed by laparoscopy.

Kichukova D.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

The author studied the combination of the polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis in 274 infertile women by laparoscopy. 106 patients were diagnosed on clinical criteria as having the polycystic ovary disease which was confirmed in 93 of them (87.74%) at the time of the procedure. Coexisting endometrial focuses were found in 11 patients (11.83%). The results show that laparoscopy should be the modality of choice in the diagnostic work-up in women with infertility and clinical symptoms of the polycystic ovary syndrome. Extensive scrutiny for endometriosis should be performed in all of these cases since the combination of the two conditions is not infrequent.

PMID: 9145594 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Akush Ginekol (Sofiia). 2000;39(3):25-6. Related Articles, Links  


[Endometriosis as an unexpected finding during laparoscopy on sterile women]

[Article in Bulgarian]

Kichukova D, Uchikova E, Velevski V.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, High Medical, Plovdiv.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the laparoscopy as endoscope method at diagnosing as unsuspected finding at sterile women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studying is retrospective and includes 20 years period of time (1976-1996). We have examined the documentation of 912 patients on whom performed laparoscopy. 678 from them have been primary and 234 have been with secondary sterility. RESULTS: We have established the following findings: cases only with endometriosis--164 patients; endometriosis and polycystic disease of the ovaries--11 patients; endometriosis and tubal sterility--42 patients; endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)--56 patients; endometriosis and uterus myomatosus--6 patients. DISCUSSION: Diagnosis of endometriosis by laparoscopy effectively helps in the further treatment of sterile women.

PMID: 11187990 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[painpaingoaway]

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!! I can't believe that there are so many of you that really do care! Why can't you be my doc! Thank you for soo much info. Now I am on the case of a combination of PCOS and endo! Thanks!

Bethany :)

[231]

I WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH BOTH ENDOMETRIOSIS AND PCOS. MY SYMPTOMS WERE IRREGULAR PERIODS AND LOWER PELVIC PAIN. PAIN WAS CAUSED BY THE ENDO, IRREGULAR PERIODS CAUSED BY PCOS. IT TOOK ALOT FOR ME TO GET DIAGNOSED. I WAS CONSTANTLY GOING TO THE DOCTOR FOR LOWER PELVIC PAIN AND IRREGULAR PERIODS ALOT OF THESE DOCTORS DONT KNOW MUCH SO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH IT TOOK ME ALMOST 2 YEARS TO GET DIAGNOSED PROPERLY I HAD DID SO MUCH RESEARCH THAT I DIAGNOSED MY SELF I TOOK MANY TEST FROM CANCER TO HORMONE LEVELS THIROID STD, EVERY TEST U COULD THINK OF AND THEY CLAIMED EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL I EVEN HAD A ULTRASOUND THEY SAID EVERYTHING LOOKS FINE I FINALLY WENT TO A GYN WHO DECIDED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BOTH. ITS STRANGE HOW EVERY TEST CAME BACK NORMAL BUT I KNOW MY BODY AND I KNEW SOMETHING WASNT RIGHT AND I WASNT GOING TO LET THE DOCTOR KEEP TELLING ME ITS NOTHING .ITS NO CURE FOR EITHER BUT YOU CAN TREAT THEM I BASICALLY HAVE TO BE ON BIRTH CONTROL PILLS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE IF I WANT REGULAR PERIODS IF I STOP THE PILL, BACK TO IRREGULAR PERIODS THAT REALLY SUCKS . IF I WANT TO GET PREGNANT I WILL HAVE TO TAKE SOME TYPE OF DRUG BECAUSE THE PCOS IS STOPPING ME FROM OVULATING THEN WITH TAKING THAT DRUG ITS A HIGHER RISK OF MISCARRAIGE, MULTIPLE BIRTHS, LOW BITRTH WEIGHT, ITS VERY SCARY BECAUSE IM ONY 21 SO TO ALL U LADIES WHO MIGHT SUFFER FROM ANY OF THESE HORRIBLE CONDITIONS IF YOU REALLY FEEL THAT SOMETHING ISNT RIGHT DONT STOP PRESSING THE ISSUE BECAUSE IF PCOS GOES UNTREATED IT CAN TURN IN CANCER GOOD LUCK

[mand980]

Bethany
Hi Bethany, I was diagnosed with both endo and PCOS aged 27 after 13 years of terrible periods, weight gain, spots...you know the symptoms. Anyway i'm 35 now and have lived with both since then. I was put on Dianette to prevent my bad periods and spots etc and once my body had adjusted to it (i'm not very good on the pill) it worked like a charm for 6 years. However, i decided to come off of the pill early last year and have sonce developed the spots and weight gain symptoms again. HOWEVER, my periods have been brilliant! For the last year and a half i've never had a 'crying in agony - rolling around" period and i get hardly any clots. I've just been put on metformin and the GI diet (brilliant for both conditions) to see if i can lose the weight that way and have been told to take mega strength (1300mg per day) evening primrose oil and starflower oil. These, i'm told may take 3-6 months to start propoerly kicking in, so give it a chance. Relaxation classes are fantastic as is acupuncture, but if you don't have access to any of these classes, download relaxation exercises from the internet. Also, and the woman who gives me maggaes told me this, make sure you have your fallopian tubes tested for bloackages, as it's a simple procedure, but one most doctors fail to tell their patients about.
One thing i will say to you all is that up until i went to a prvate doctor in th UK i was ignored and almost ridiculed by doctors when i went to them with my symptoms. One (female) doctor told me that all women have uncomfortable periods and i should get on with it, whilst another (male) doctor suggested i get pregnant. A fair comment until you realise that i was single, 19 and at university. The best was when some 149 year old male doctor said that "the best thing all round is a hysterectomy - rip it all out"!!!!!!!!! So, keep plugging away at it.
I'm just beginning to try to get pregnant and although it may seem remote to some (at 35, with both conditions) my specialist told me last time i saw him that his previous patient that day had both conditions and had 5 kids.
As for you endo - DEMAND A LAPAROSCOPY. If they won't allow it, change doctors, contact the medical council or contact the hospital directly. Rememeber, no matter what doctors try and make out, it's your body not theirs.
I hope that some of this has helped some one, as it can feel very isolating out there when you aren't given the correct information.

[VValek1228]

It is definitely possibe to have both PCOS and endometrosis. I should know, since I have both. I got diagnosed with PCOS when  I was 18 and endo when I was 19. Ladies if you think you might have these get checked right away. My endo scarred my fallopian tubes and my OBGYN said between the PCOS and the scarring he is afraid I may not be able to have children. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion either.

[banana0875]

I do have both endo and PCOS. I was diagnosed with endo 7 years ago when I was 16 and PCOS about 1 week ago. I am not sure yet what we are going to do from here but I have surgery for the endo at least every 2 years to "clean" it out as my doc would say.  We will see what happens from here. Keep us posted on you!

[mrs_tan]

I do have both endometriosis and PCOS. The only way that a person could be diagnosed of having endometriosis is through undergoing laparoscopy. I recently underwent both- laparoscopy and hysteroscopy under general anesthesia. That surgery usually makes 3 incisions on your abdomen: 1 on your bellybutton; 2&3 on your lower abdomen. Through these, they will insert a small camera to see if you have endometriosis and find out what stage your endo is. Afterwards, they will "scrape" or burn where your endo is located at. However, even if you underwent this surgery endo cannot be treated for good. They can still come back. There are many benefits that you can get from this operation just like what my doctor has done to me. I must say it's "all in one" because since I'm also PCOS, she did ovarian drilling on my right ovary wherein will increase my chance of conception, she loosened my left fallopian tube to make it easier for sperm to pass through, she burned some found polyps attached in my uterus and lastly, removed my mild endometriosis. Since the surgery, I have noticed a very smooth flow in my menstruation without having those huge blood clots. It's very difficult having both of these disorders. It's very physically and emotionally draining especially if you're dying to have a baby. So many medicines to take. So many check ups to be made. Metformin is usually prescribed for PCOS patients. Look for a doctor who specializes in endocrinology not just an ob-gyne because it really makes a difference. I hope I was able to help with just a piece of information that I know based on what I have gone through.



.....still hoping for a baby

[melenzbee83]

Hi,
i have both endo and PCOS and ovarian cancer. In fact the PCOS has caused me more pain then the other two. complete agony.
Feel free to drop me a line if you ever want to talk.

best wishes.

[Sandra14]

I have PCOS and am pretty sure that i have endo as well, but  my docs keep telling me that i am fine and that it is just my period. i get horrible pelvic pain and went to emerg on the weekend it was so bad. i was passing huge clots as well. they did an ultrasound on me and didn't see anything. i get these pains on a regular basis but are normally not severe. i have pretty much all the sympoms of endo and have been doing a lot of research on it. now i am not sure what else cuz the docs keep telling me that i am fine, but i know my body and i know there is something wrong. can i make them give me a laparoscopy?

[Kimberyee]

Hello All,

I was diagnosed with Endometriosis not quite 3 years ago and I've since had 2 surgeries to remove it - once in 9/05 and the other in 1/07.  I recently started having severe pain around my right ovary as well and ended up in the ER almost 2 weeks ago.  The ultrasound indicated that I had a cluster of cysts around my right ovary and that one of them had most likely ruptured.  Then last Monday (1 week ago) I had a follow up with my obgyn who said that I have PCOS in addition to the Endo.  So to answer the original question, YES you can definitely have both.  

Sandy - If you have an obgyn I would definitely request that they perform a laparoscopy.  If they refuse, I would personally change doctors.  Having the laparoscopy done is the only way to be 100% sure that you have the Endo.  Good luck!  

[HapKat]

Yes, please make them do a lap.  I waited 8 years to get diagnosed with endo, and just over 2 years later (just a week ago) I was also diagnosed with PCOS.  So it is absolutely possible to have both.  Of course, I didn't know about or care about PCOS until I started trying to conceive 6 months ago and it didn't happen immediately like I thought it would.  Doctors are complete idiots - it is very easy to diagnose PCOS but since the only way to diagnose endo is with a lap, they just shy away from doing it.  Be sure to get a doctor who can and will excise (cut out) all the endo they find!  Don't go through the lap without getting 99.9% of it removed!  And don't settle for lasering it off - I was back in for lap #2 within 6 months after having it lasered the first time.  The 2nd time the specialist surgeon excised it and I have been almost completely pain free for a year and a half so far.  Good luck!

[KrsTOy]

I do have endometriosis and PCOS or so they tell me.  I have stopped birth control and gained a lot of weight which is how they determined the PCOS.  My husband and I are trying to have a baby and have not been successful, just more bad news. I have had the laparoscopy to remove a cyst on my fallopian tube and they removed the endometriosis and I still have paid regularly.  No baby yet but its definitely a good idea to have the lap done ASAP.  

[ssgbestwife]

i have been 12yrs pain free i had both pcos and had a total radical hydorectomy cervex up all gone best thing that ever happened to me but i also had 9 laporoscopies and 10 years of the same pain as you all now my daughter is expienceing  that fimiliar pain and i'm thankful i know a dr. who will help her this sight will teach you http://www.endometriosistreatment.org/html/pub.html
and help you help yourselfs  my advise is to stop listening to dr.'s that don't listen to you  collect all your records films and all from every where dr's., ER.  then read them. for the short term stop all dairy .red meal prosseced food lunch meat, cheese these all have hormons that feed Endo maintain your bowels keep them as empty as you can this helps more then pain killers in my family  out of 4 girls 3 have had total hystorectomies and 1 partial we all had PCOS also and two of us have thyroid issues also after all it all the same system of the body. i prey that you find the right DR. but Educate yourselfs you are your own best dr.

[Josie954]

Hi!
3 years ago I underwent an emergency operation - to remove my left ovary and half of the right ovary.  It was because I suffer from PCOS and the cysts in my left ovary were not only hemorragic (blood cysts) but also were about to burst open.  My life was in danger.  After after having all that removed, and the half ovary cleaned from remaining cysts, I thought that my pain and awful menstrual periods would dissapear.  My first period after my procedure was so painful that I ended up at the ER. My doctor saw me the next day and told me that the biopsy from the half of ovary I do have - had traces of endometriosis.  So yes, It is possible to have PCOS and Endo at the same time.
For me it has been hell.  My periods are horribly painful from the week before; sometimes I have weird symptoms like dizziness, nausea, severe headaches, bowel movements out of control, and severe bleeding.  I can be up to 9 days bleeding heavily, and then 2 weeks later get my period again.  I wish the doctor had taken everything out and spared me this misery.
Jocelyn
Miramar, Fl

[loveshy]

Hi everyone,

I am 32 years of age and just about 3 years ago I started to notice discomfort in my right groin abdomen area and in my right underarm breast at the same time.  The discomfort was that my groin, thigh, felt swollen.  My underwear felt so tight on that side (like overnight) that I had to go and buy a size larger underwear.  Ultrasound was done on my right abdomen and no signs of any unusual ovaries, so the doctors left it as a groin pull.  The odd thing is that my groin pull never went away completely.  It would become aggrivated whenever I would lift something heavy or right around my period or whenever I had a movement of a bowel.  I couldn't hold my stomach in anymore because that would cause discomfort.

Now its 3 years later and I've developed the following: same groin pull discomfort sensation, a rotated pelvis (right), and sciatica down the right leg.  Sometimes during the time and for a few weeks after my period I have the increased "groin pain" sensation.  Not to mention within the 3 years I gained about 40lbs.  

Just past 2 weeks I had another abdomen ultrasound done and blood tests.  The ultrasound was "beautiful" but it was found that my free testosterone levels were slightly elevated.  I am going in for another blood test to make sure this isn't a lab error.  My doctor is unsure what it could be.  I think I may have PCOS but my physical therapist believes I may have a cyst or endometriosis.   I've noticed some extra facial hair popping up within the last year or so and also some unusual hair loss.  Just recently, my hair line has been getting finer and more recessed.

I have my next appointment with my doctor on later this month.  I am wondering what her final diagnosis is.  I am really concerned with the weight gain as my mother who hasn't seen me since 8 months looked like she was about to cry because I've gained so much weight and I walk oddly on my right side.  I had an orthopedic surgeon who dismissed my complaints and didn't notice a change in my gait.  However, my physical therapist did notice the rotated pelvis.

I was wondering if any of you guys have any of the symptoms I've talked about?  My mother had endometriosis and a fibroid tumor before her hysterectomy.  She also has thyroid issues too (I've been blessed with great genes).  I've never had a severe weight problem like this before in my entire life.  I've always been able to shed pounds, but now if I breathe I gain weight and my sciatica doesn't really allow for me to feel comfortable walking or exercising like used to enjoy.

Also, some of you guys mentioned blood clots during your period.  How big were your blood clots?  Dime size?  This might simply indicate that I may be starting on the route of PCOS and endometriosis.

[pink2007]

Hi

I found out about a year and a half i had pcos and was told it may take longer for me to become pregnant than most women, so i spoke to my partner and we decided to start try for a baby. After a year of trying and nothing happening i decided to go back to my doctor to see what he could do to help. After going to a hospital appointment for a scan i was put in for a laparoscopy, which i have just recently had done last friday, but now found out not only do i have pcos i also have a thick lining of Endometriosis and both my tubes are blocked. So yes you can have both PCOS and Endometrosis. I also have a question of my own if anyone can help is there any hope i will be able to get my tubes unblocked and  to have a baby of my own one day?  

Thanks

[teni_allen]

I can't help by answering your question but I can sympathise as I have been trying for near on 2 years to have a baby... your doctor should know how to unblock your tubes, and you should also discuss the risks of mis-carriage as I have mis-carried several times as the lining or endometrium has not been lining the uteris as it should, there is also a high risk of pregnancy in the fallopian tubes (the one that are block for you)

I wish I could help, and I hope you are successful in your atttempts

[pink2007]

Thank you anyway i just dont know what to think at the moment, but thats something i will ask when i go back to the doctors about what risk of mis-carriage do i have, its something i've not really thought about but thank you its something i should really find out about.

I really do hope everything works out for you i cant imagen how hard it must be for you actually getting pregnant and then mis-carriaging i really hope your ok. Take Care x

[pierce1437]

YES, you can have both endo and PCOS!  I have been trying to have a baby for 15 years now.  I found out in 1998 that I had both and that I had a slim to none chance of getting pregnant.  I had 2 laproscopies and various infretility treatments. All with no luck.  My doctor at the age of 24 told me that I would not EVER be able to get pregnent, and he recommended a hysterectomy.  Needless to say I was freaked out because I was determined that I would be a mom!  Stupidly I did not go in for even a checkup for 8 years!   Now I am 33 years old now and I am starting to have a variety of other issues related to endo and PCOS.  I will be having a hysterectomy in the first part of March.  

Good luck to you all,

G.P.

[jersey2008]

I am really sorry to hear about what you are going through.  I haved been going through this problem since I was 16 years old and I am now 34 years old.  I have never talked with anyone that has gone though the same thing I have, believe it or not none of my family or friends know what I am going through.  Back in 99 I was diagnosed with endo and now they think I have PCOS I have had 3 surgeries and 2 of them were removal of cysts, today I went to yet another fertility specialist and I have 2 more cysts on my left ovary.  I have no children but want them extremely bad.  It is not looking good for me either.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

[cbuggababy]

I think is more common than typically believed that endo and pcos co-exist.  My experience tells me that, just as JGmom suggested, once one disorder to explain symptoms is found, the search is off.  This makes sence if the treatment works.  If, however, like you, some or all symptoms continue, it means it's time to re-start the search.  Only you will know when the search is complete, you'll feel it..Good luck

[JulesMH]

Hi!
I have been diagnosed with Endometriosis and PCOS. Doctors have said it is quite uncommon.

Unfortunately the docs dont seem to bothered about my condition and fob me off a bit.. Im 26 and happily married, we're starting to think about trying for children, dont feel old enough yet, but dont want to leave it too late...

[cev86]

Hi all, I am 22 and I have just been diagnosed with endo and pcos.  I am pretty upset because I really want to have children but from what i've read, it doesn't sound like there's much chance.  I am glad I saw a specialist, have put it off for quite some time, (I was always just put on different birth control pills which don't agree with me, and told that it was normal).  But seeing a specialist has allowed me to realise that I can possibly prevent other complications.  So ladies - get checked out if you are in doubt.  Has anyone been able conceive who is suffering from both endo and pcos????

[gemma9338]

It's such a shame to hear about the suffering and pain you are going through and I hope this helps you get the diagnosis. I was diagnosed with PCOS back in 2004 after 3 years of numerous trips to the GP with severe abdo pain, no periods, sickness and fainting. Turns out I had a 5inch cyst and multiple ones on both ovaries that had to be removed by laparotomy. That took years of pleading and demanding an US, trying to convince them it was was not stress or just being young!
I went on to have 3 miscarriages in succession after being advised to start a family sooner rather than later - I was 25 then. We then had our beautiful and most precious little girl in 2006 after 2 years of trauma.
Then the troubles and pain started again...I visited the gynae who gave me an US and said I had polycystic ovaries-no really! Like I didnt already know! Oh yes they hadnt read any previous history notes! Told me I needed councelling and sent me on my way.....
The pains got worse and my sex life was being affected with the pain so I visited another gynae at a different hospital. They were great and booked me in for a laparoscopy ASAP. I had it this monday and they found both PCO, adhesions from the prev.surgery and endometriosis on both ovaries and the cavity. Recovering now and started Depoprovera injection too to keep both at bay. Fingers crossed this works....
So after all that rambling, what I am trying to say is yes it is possible to have both, dont let the doctors fob you off like they do, demand a laproscopy as the endo did not show on the US, and dont fret too much about having a family - it is achievable tho difficult!
Best of luck with everything x

[Mishy_88]

i recently had a cyst rupture but didn't know it at the time. wen i went to the ER they thought i was in labour! lol i laugh now but believe me the pain was so bad my face tingled! the ER doc thought it was endo but told me to visit my doc and he told me it was a cyst that ruptured and that they usually rupture after ovulation, right before ur period or at the start of ur period but its not a must that every month one will rupture.

[kkdg112798]

I have had Endo & PCOS since 1997. I get questioned everytime I have had to go to a new Doc "How where you diagnosed" Like they do not believe that I have it.

I am very frustrated that I cannot get relief and all the doc wants to do is put me on BC pills. Which help to a point.

I went 3 years ago to a homopathic doctor and was put on Pogesterone and it helped me loose weight. Because of the PCOS I have low Pogesterone. When I went on it I also started having more regulkar periods.

Any of you have any suggestions on other treatments?

The Endo was carterized in 97 but not all of it. As for the rest nothing has helped.

Kim

[momof3inmaine]

I am a mom of 3.  I have such debilitating cramps and they seem to be getting worse every month.  I have never had regular cycles and have always bled heavy.  Anyways, not really sure if I care what is happening to me.  My 8 year old daughter was diagnosed with premature adrenarche which can be a precursor of PCOS.  I am wondering since these issues are or at least can be hereditary if it is possible I have either or and perhaps am the reason she is having these problems.  I have mild facial hair, gained weight pretty much overnight when when I finally hit puberty.....  like from super thin to a little over weight in the blink of an eye.  I was able to have children with no problem, and I know that with PCOS it doesn't come easy.  ........ okay now I'm rambling but maybe there is a connection?

[cleick]

I've been overweight, had irregular periods, heavy periods, PAINFUL periods for as long as I can rememember. Since July of 2006 I have visited the ER 8 times because of severe pelvic pain. It started in July... they told me I ruptured a cyst. The same time the next month I was in the hospital twice, and again in September. One ultra sounds they saw cysts, then when I went back they didnt.  Once again in 2007.... 2008 and twice in 2009. I have seen over 6 different OBGYNs, have been passed from specialist to specialist. One OBGYN didn't think it was related to my uterus despite my symptoms... and passed me off to a urologist (because I had frequent UTIs). After laying in a ball crying in the ER... one of the ER docs asked me what my pain was on a scale of one to ten. When I said 8, he pretty much laughed at me and said "You're having the worst pain of your life RIGHT NOW?" Almost as if he was saying... "yeah right..." Over the summer I gained 50 lbs, started losing hair, growing hair on my face, have had emotional roller coasters like never before with irritabilty (I never used to have a "crabby" day). I figured it was simply stress and overload... as I've always battled depression and it's been extra stressful lately. The pain came to a climax in Sept when I couldn't stand it any more. Finally a new doctor did a Lap... finding that I had both endo and cpos. It was a relief to know that I wasn't just imagining the pain---if that is even possible!!! I hoped that the surgery would take care of the problems, but the pain is still there. Looking at the syptoms (symptoms) of both conditions... everything is starting to make sense. one of the causes for PCOS is inusulin resistance--causing a craving for sweets and severe fatigue. PCOS can cause several other complications (heart disease, diabetes, etc) and since all that runs in my family anyways... it's almost as if I am double proned to get heart disease and iabetes.  My doc prescribed bc but I plan on visiting an endocrinologist to see if I really do have insulin resistance... and to get the heart of the matter. Either way I may not be able to have children... and being only 21, this is hard to swallow. Your pain is REAL...Don't let anyone tell you different. Go to doc that specializes in these conditions and get 2nd, 3rd, even 4th opinions. That's what I had to do! The battle isn't over but you can make it!

[snowwhitelife]

Yes, you can absolutely have both! Endometriosis is very hereditary... I have PCOS, and had no periods at ALL until I was put on birth control pills when I was 18. However, the BCPs actually triggered the endometriosis, which my mom & sister both have, badly.

I would suggest talking to your doctor again with a journal, or even going to another doctor to explain where you're at and kind of get a second opinion. I'm assuming since you have PCOS you're probably already on birth control pills, so laparoscopy or even Lupron may be beneficial to you. Hope things get better soon, I know how tough it can be!

[dyinginside91]

It's definitely possible to have both. I was diagnosed with both when I was 15 (I'm 18 now). My endo had already left scar tissue. I went on shots for a year and was given birth control pills afterwards. I recently changed pills from Loestrin 24 to Yaz, and that was a mistake. I was trying to make things easier on everyone in my household because I became evil every month before my period. Now my symptoms are coming back. I'm still trying to swallow the fact that I could be told in the next couple of years that I may not be able to have kids. Good luck to you.