Fibroids and Endometriosis?

In response to Deb's question about endometriosis testing on my post about infant potty training, no, I haven't specifically had tests for endo. But I did have two HSGs and have been opened up twice -- once for my myo and once for the c-section and nothing was mentioned -- not even on my medical records. Some of my other online fibroid sisters have had endo and fibroids though -- so it is a possibility. In the book The Infertility Cure both conditions are dealt with in the same chapter -- so similar can their causes be.

I've had painful ovulations before, the first one that I recall was back in 1996 when I was just about doubled over in pain at work -- a stressful computer start-up -- and I ended up going to the emergency room just to make sure I didn't have appendicitis. Wanna know where that pain was? The same location as my fibroid showed up years later. I had an ultrasound at the time and it came back clean. After all the acupuncture I've had done I think that partially the pain comes from some form of blood stagnation in that area -- and too much stress will divert the blood flow from your reproductive organs so it it possible that its all related.

Since my c-section I've occassionally felt a few jabs of pain in that area -- which is where Twyla, my new big fibroid is located. It's not too bad so I'm hopeful that she's not going to be an issue.

Lately I've thought, as people respond in surprise when my partner and I mention that we're planning on starting to TTC again later this year, that another factor besides it taking so long and the miscarriages, that also the fibroids I have are another consideration. One good thing for the moment now though is that breastfeeding suppresses estrogen production so it is possible that my fibroids will shrink substantially until my period shows up again. The reduction in estrogen also causes me to have dry skin, so dry I have hives on my upper arms, and it also dries out the girly bits so that sex is a bit uncomfortable. There's no winning.

Other Causes of Pelvic Pain Besides Fibroid Degeneration

A common complain of women with fibroids is abdominal Pain. This pelvic pain can come from from fibroid degeneration, when the fibroid outgrows its blood supply and dies, but that's fairly rare and there are other possible causes of pelvic pain including (an incomplete list):

Appendicitis

Constipation

Adenomyosis -- endometrial tissue grows into the wall of the uterus and can form pockets that bleed each month

Endometriosis -- endometrial tissue grows on other pelvic structures outside of the interior of the uterus and swell and bleed with the hormones produced as a part of your menstrual cycle

Ovarian Cysts -- mature follicle that does not rupture and can grow pretty large, if they rupture they can be quite painful. Some cysts are normal and most of the time they are just reabsorbed. There are other forms of cyst which require medical intervention such as dermoid cysts, endometrioma, and sometimes chocolate cysts.

Ovulation -- mittelshmerz is pain that is felt around ovulation, perhaps from the release of the egg or perhaps from irritation from fluid released from the follicle

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease -- bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, and chlamidia can all cause infections in the pelvic cavity

Pelvic Adhesions from prior abdominal surgery or infection -- a d&c or IUD can sometime result in an infection as well

Fibroid Pressing on blood vessels or other abdominal structure

Cystitis -- bladder infection

Kidney infection

There is also a diagnosis in traditional chinese medicine/acupuncture called blood stagnation which can cause pelvic pain and is generally associated with gynecological conditions such as fibroids. Liver stagnation is usually part of the diagnosis as well, the liver being the major detox organ in the body and one that is also associated with emotion and grief in chinese medicine. I've found acupuncture to be helpful in managing my pelvic pain, as well as breathing exercises that promote movement in the abdomen. Here's a link about blood stagnation that you might find useful.

All About Blood Stagnation
http://www.acupuncture.com/Herbology/bloodstag.htm

If your doctor checks you out and you are still having problems then
you might consider the blood stagnation possibility.