Thick uterus and heavy bleeding

[Clair76]

My GP is sending me to a gynecologist. My periods, although regular, have been very heavy, with clots. A transvaginal ultrasound showed that my uterus/endometrium was thick and this was on the third day of my period, which from what I understand should be thinner at that time in my cycle. I have low back pain, pain in my left abdomen, and my left leg will ache, like a  heat radiating from within my leg. My doctor said he suspects endometriosis, but I am concerned about cancer. I am 39, have three adult children, started my periods at age 10, and am overweight. So I do have some risk factors for uterine/endo cancer. How concerned should I be?

[BhumikaMD]

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.

[darlingdivatx]

I'm less educated about gyno problems than other areas but my gut says cancer is lower on the scale of possibilities. Endo is a possibility but I'm thinking it might be a fibroid unless that was ruled out on manual exam.