Lower abdominal pain & bloating

[Elita]

Hi, I am 47 & perimenopausal. After I had 1 month of bleeding, my doctor ordered to have ultrasound & uteral biopsy, which came back OK. Then again I had 3 months of heavy non-stop bleeding which stopped in February. Then after 2 weeks I began feeling pain in lower abdomen & bloating every day, sometimes nausea & back pain - this now goes on for 2nd month. At the end of February I paid for UltraLife ultrsound test(I don't know how professional that is - in a hotel room but I was worried. It showed just medium uteral fibroids but test was done on the stomack, not through vagina-does it make a difference?). My Gyn said that the test I took on my own is good enough, otherwise she would order another ultrasound. My pain & bloating almost never goes away, I feel kind-of sick. I am worried about OVARIAN CANCER-could my symptoms indicate that? And should I ask for another ultrasound? What else it could be? I am very worried & not feeling good at all. Please help. Thank you.

[bchelle]

A related discussion, ovarian polyps was started.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Elita,

You have had a good evaluation. The only other thing that your doctor can do to reassure you that you do not have ovarian cancer is to do a laparoscopy and look inside. If you have that much pain, it may be reasonable to do so to set your mind at ease. The most common reason for your symptoms with a normal gyn evaluation is a bowel problem such as irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance.

Abdominal ultrasounds are not as sensitive as transvaginal ultrasounds in evaluating the uterus and ovaries.
take care

[Jo A]

I overheard my boss talking to a couple of longtime employees/ friends . She said  the sme thing you discribe. Nonstop bleeding & pain. Her doctor was talking about doing a hysterectomy & she was afraid to do it. She didn't want to getfat, grow facial hair, lose hair on her head, & lose her sex drive. I thought how funny she was being, beliving in allthe old wives tales.

I asked her if I was Fat & manly. She looked shocked. I"m 5'10, 135 lb, long brown hair with an active sex life at that time (ovarian cancer & chemo put a crimp in that).

I told her that I had a complete abdominal hysterectomy when I was 24. I pointed out to her that she was in her 50's, a grandmother, not planning on having anymore children & the hysterectomy would give her life back, that once she recovered from surgery she'd feel better than she had in years & wish she'd done it sooner.

She had the surgery a few days after we talked & when she came back to work she came to me & thanked me for pushing her. She bubbled with energy. Maybe this is something for you & you doctor to discuss. At the time I was having all my problems Aa doctor told me that he would not  operate because it was  unneccesary, that I would not die form it. He told me I had to learn to accept it  & learn to relax. So I went to another doctor who agreed that it wouldn't kill me but it had to do with QUALITY of life. That's what made it nessesary. So it didn't control my life.  Clearly your quality of life is poor now. Maybe a hysterectomy would eliminate the problems & you can go on & have a happy, healthy life. Certainly something to talk with your Gyn about. Good Luck !