I finally found out why my periods were so bad

[u/CompetitionDecent986]

Since I was 11, my periods have been so bad that I would have to miss school because I was on the floor vomiting. I have a vivid memory of my dad accusing me of being on drugs because the kitchen tile felt good to curl up on. I was tested for PCOS, endometriosis, etc and they couldn't figure it out. Even on birth control it wasn't perfect, I still had pretty intense periods that werent as bad but I also had quite a few side effects. Finally, after having 3 kids at 34, I was able to get my hysterectomy 3 weeks ago. Today, I had a post-op appointment with my doctor where she told me according to the biopsy, I had adenomyosis and that was the issue I have had since starting my period. It honestly has been freeing in a sense to finally have a name for what I went through especially when I researched it afterwards and almost every symptom I have had but felt like it must be only in my head because nearly everyone else it wasn't that bad for and we never knew why it was so bad me. I am so grateful that my doctor actually listened to me and helped me even before we had a name for what was happening to me. I just had to share somewhere because I had never heard of this condition before and if I had known I would have maybe asked the doctors about it before.

Dinner tonight is a Chicken Caesar Salad because it is too hot for anything else.

[u/KristaDBall]

Adenomyosis is *so* sneaky! I truly hope you find some relief now.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/KristaDBall]

I had a hysterectomy, so it will never bother me again but when I told my mom about she also had the same feeling of relief as me because she had a similar experience as me but she never got an explanation.

[u/maraney → u/CompetitionDecent986]

And now that you know theres potentially a genetic component, you can advocate for your kids and their kids if they experience those symptoms!

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/maraney]

That's also added to the relief that we talked about it makes advocacy easier having a name for it.

[u/pixi88 → u/maraney]

I have it, and what sucks is the only cure is to rip it out if bc or the anti-hemorrhage pills don't cut it.

Hopefully when my daughter is older they'll have something :-/ she's getting iron supps when she starts!

[u/Rabbit-1989 → u/maraney]

I'm super worried for my daughter. Endo, poly and adeno are on both sides of her family. Terrible lady problems for multiple family members.

[u/KristaDBall → u/CompetitionDecent986]

A friend of mine didn't get 100% relief from her surgery because she'd gone damage to her pelvic floor muscles (due to the pain, clenching, etc etc you know the drill). She's getting pelvic floor therapy now, though, so she feels like every month she's improving dramatically, so I'm a) hopeful for her and b) hopeful your surgery continues hitting the 100% mark right out of the gate!

I am so happy, though, you clearly already have relief. It must be amazing to just have it lifted.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/KristaDBall]

I hope your friend is able to get the relief we all deserve.

[u/Nowordsofitsown → u/CompetitionDecent986]

Your mom went through the same and your Dad still accused you of being on drugs?!

[u/AnStudiousBinch → u/CompetitionDecent986]

Hysterectomy twiiiiin 👯‍♀️ isn’t life incredible without the debilitating pain????

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[u/Maeve_blaeve]

Commenting for visibility! I have the type that builds up in one spot rather than diffuse so it was visible by ultrasound. 

I read that women used to only be diagnosed after hysterectomy, didn't realize that could still be the case. Glad you got your answer, and already had the gold standard treatment.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/Maeve_blaeve]

I have had so many ultrasounds after three kids and they never said anything about it. I honestly felt like I was a wimp or something. Then, after waking up from the hysterectomy the nurse asked how I felt and I said it wasnt as bad as one of more bad periods and her face was sheer horror, so I figured maybe my body just hated me.

[u/lady-earendil → u/CompetitionDecent986]

Someone I follow who just had a hysterectomy because of (previously diagnosed) adenomyosis said she was told that a lot of women say the recovery feels like nothing because they've lived with so much pain!

[u/laurifex → u/lady-earendil]

Oh wow, that would explain why mine was so easy! Aside from being a bit tired I felt fantastic after my hysterectomy, which also got rid of my adenomyosis and a ton of endometrial scarring.

[u/SoggyContribution239 → u/lady-earendil]

Just had one two weeks ago and the post surgery pain just felt like a bad cramp for me. That is also when I learned my periods were more painful than they should be.

[u/LateEvening6026 → u/lady-earendil]

This just made me so excited for mine at the end of this month! My adenomyosis is so bad they found it on a sonogram 😂 I was like…ooooo that’s why I’ve hurt so bad since I was 11 (similar boat, OP!)

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/lady-earendil]

Honestly, yes that was how I felt.

[u/Rabbit-1989 → u/lady-earendil]

My sister just had a hysterectomy this week due to poly/endo and this is so sad but also reassured me she's probably doing ok.

[u/jerkface1026 → u/lady-earendil]

The day after my hysterectomy was the best I felt in a decade. I was completely unaware of how much daily pain I was feeling.

[u/Maeve_blaeve → u/CompetitionDecent986]

Oh, that's brutal. I'm so sorry you went through that. My doctor gave me some options for treatment, some of which aren't advised if you're still having kids, but no answers and no relief is horrific.

[u/WifeofBath1984 → u/Maeve_blaeve]

I was literally diagnosed with adenomyosis today via trans vaginal ultrasound. I am so revelieved I didn't have to wait for a hysterectomy. We already developed a treatment plan and I am so thrilled!

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[u/JenMcSpoonie → u/Maeve_blaeve]

My friend had endometriosis and adenomyosis and she had to get Botox injections in her uterus

[u/lutzlover → u/Maeve_blaeve]

Mine was diagnosed via several biopsies.

[u/No-Transition8014 → u/Maeve_blaeve]

Yes!

[u/spookyboofy]

Hmm interesting I have never heard of Adenomyosis. Glad you finally got that peace! Hate that it took this long though :(

[u/Everlykiss → u/spookyboofy]

The peace of knowing 😌

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/spookyboofy]

Thank you, honestly it is better late than never, which was a fear I had.

[u/Prestigious-Fix8937]

OMG!! I have been struggling with suspected endometriosis for years. I remember feeling like I was dying during my period as a teen. I had an ultrasound earlier this week and was also finally diagnosed with adenomyosis. Congrats on your diagnosis, even though you don’t have a uterus anymore! I have been gaslit by my doctors for YEARS!! Cheers to us! 🥂🥳

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/Prestigious-Fix8937]

I was so happy when I started going to this doctor because she actually listened and believed me even though we couldn't tell why it was happening and when I told her I want a hysterectomy, she was like let's do it, and then she pushed it through insurance to make sure I had it covered too. Women's Healthcare needs to take us seriously. And congratulations on your diagnosis.

[u/90sShadowDiva → u/Prestigious-Fix8937]

OMG, gaslit is exactly it. I have a similar but different condition and it’s absolutely mind boggling that there are so many misinformed doctors out there dismissing women who suffer from chronic pelvic pain conditions.

[u/Muchado_aboutnothing]

Adenomyosis and endometriosis are horrible and so painful. I’m so glad you found answers and hopefully won’t have to deal with that pain anymore!

[u/Meatsweetsonmygrill]

I’m happy for you! I got my hysterectomy yesterday because I had adenomyosis, fibroids, and heavy periods. I can’t wait to live without pain every month.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/Meatsweetsonmygrill]

I'm so happy for you too, today and tomorrow will be the worse days after that it gets better.

[u/kazoogrrl → u/Meatsweetsonmygrill]

I had mine 3 years ago for the same reasons and life without awful periods is amazing. I hope you have an easy recovery!

[u/Ok-Librarian6629]

I'm so happy that you got an answer. Living with that kind of suffering with no explanation is hard. 

Pretty brave to be eating lettuce right now. 

[u/Brilliant-Version704 → u/Ok-Librarian6629]

Some pieces of that chicken look a little too pink to me too 🙈

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/Brilliant-Version704]

Honestly its the lighting in the room, I checked with a thermometer and they were all over 180 f.

[u/crvbabybug → u/Brilliant-Version704]

Color does not always indicate anything. Sometimes there’s still myoglobin, especially near the bone. I’ve boiled chicken in soup for like 45 min and still had some parts near the bone a little pink.

Plus, according to the food lab chicken can be fully cooked at lower temperatures than 165 as long as the chicken stays at that temperature for the appropriate amount of time to kill the bacteria.

[u/lady-earendil → u/crvbabybug]

We had grilled chicken legs tonight and they literally temped at 190 and still had pink liquid coming out lol

[u/crvbabybug → u/lady-earendil]

You don’t need that pink to stop. It’s not blood. It’s staining on the meat.

[u/DriftwoodAndSand → u/Ok-Librarian6629]

So confused about why eating lettuce is brave?

[u/Ok-Librarian6629 → u/DriftwoodAndSand]

The cyclospora outbreak in the US. 

[u/Trixie_Dixon]

I am so happy/furious for you!!! Happy you have a part forward to be free of that pain, furious that answers took this long.

It is unreal how shitty women's healthcare can be.

Hugs!

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/Trixie_Dixon]

Women's Healthcare definitely needs improvement.

[u/JenMcSpoonie]

I had endometriosis and got a hysterectomy when I was 28. I never had kids. I hate it when doctors put those constraints on patients that are really suffering horribly. I’m glad you don’t have to worry about it anymore, and if you have daughters, if they have the same thing down the road you’ll know what to ask the doctor about.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/JenMcSpoonie]

Naturally all three of my kids are girls but now we can have a word for it rather than debilitating periods that every woman in the family has had.

[u/babycuddlebunny]

I have adenomyosis and they were able to diagnose me thru an mri. My hysterectomy is tomorrow 🥳 my docs never really said much about my painful periods either, and now after having my 2nd kid (almost 4 hrs ago lol) they found endometriosis in my csection scar that was causing a huge lump and tons of pain. Being a woman is so fun!

[u/Medesha]

I had a hysterectomy three months ago to cure my adeno and treat my endo. Horrible conditions. Wishing you a pain-free future!

[u/Legal_Locksmith_6697]

I had a hysterectomy at 30 years old. Cancer treatment caused my cycles to go haywire and because I was done having children, my doctor suggested it was time. Nothing else was working and I was miserable. For as long as I can remember-and like you-my periods were horrifyingly bad. By age 11, I was missing 3-5 days of school some months because I couldn’t physically get out of bed due to the cramping and the heaviness and severity of them-I would vomit from the pain and times and just cry. Because my mom had equally bad cycles, she sympathized but didn’t really realize that wasn’t normal. We just dealt with it and nothing helped (pregnancy was the only time I ever had any relief).

After my hysterectomy, I had a two night stay at the hospital. My doctor came in early the following morning and pulled up a chair next to my bed. He looked solemn and said, “if anyone ever told you to suck it up or to just take some Advil, I will find them. When we opened you up, we found endometriosis everywhere. Everywhere…and that’s just what I could see. I got rid of as much as I could. I am so, so sorry for everything you’ve been through.” Subsequent biopsies revealed I also had adenomyosis, which I had never heard of until that moment. But sitting in that hospital room, listening to my doctor, I’ve never felt so vindicated in my life.

I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through and I hope with answers now, you’re able to find solutions. ❤️

[u/anthonystank]

Omg I also had a hysterectomy just short of three weeks ago for suspected adenomyosis! I haven’t gotten the biopsy results back so no confirmation but just having a doctor listen to me and take my shit seriously enough to do the surgery has been insanely validating. And yeah, the entire surgery process was WAY easier than a single one of my periods. Here’s to never having those again!!

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/anthonystank]

Thay are the absolute worst and I look forward to never having to personally deal with one again, other than as parent assisting my girls through it.

[u/StockYogurtcloset868]

Congratulations, my hysterectomy was 7/2 and I got the results yesterday. I asked the doctor how everything was and she goes "oh your insides were bad you Endometriosis, andemetriosis, fibroid & dysplasia." I thought all of my pains were just normal, atleaat thats what all the other doctors have told me. This doctor listened to me. I am happy you finally got some answers and relief.

[u/CreativeGap1100]

Honestly I completely resonated with this post. I also missed school and threw up due to period pain but had never considered adenomyosis- only endo

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/CreativeGap1100]

I hope that you are able to find answers.

[u/lady-earendil]

I follow someone who just had a hysterectomy because of adenomyosis and I didn't really know anything about it before that but it sounds horrible! I hate that it took you so long to get answers but I'm so glad you were able to get a hysterectomy and some validation finally 

[u/Artistic_Rice_9019]

Yikes! Congratulations on ending all that with the yeeterus.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/Artistic_Rice_9019]

I love yeeterus, thank you for that new word.

[u/Independently-Owned]

I'm so sorry that everyone, from your own father, to years of doctors didn't believe you. I'm so pleased you have found relief!

[u/harryruby]

I had my uterus removed at 30 for the same reason, and it was the best medical decision I've ever made for myself. I was fortunate to be able to have mine removed through my vagina, so recovery was a breeze.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/harryruby]

I had to have it laparoscopic because I had a c-section before but even so compared to my periods it has been a breeze and I have to keep reminding myself to not go too hard to give my body time to finish healing.

[u/Jelsie21]

I have adenomyosis. Fortunately my pain and symptoms are controlled when I’m on birth control (which I hadn’t been for decades since partner had vasectomy). It’s just weird being on bc as I creep towards menopause.

Glad you got the answers you needed!

[u/erzo7]

I completely have sympathy for what you have gone through. All the women in my family have thyroid problems; we either have super heavy flows to the point of like, bleeding to death and eventually have to have hysterectomies, or we hardly have any. But sometimes that's even worse because it causes like brittle bones. It's good you are now finally free from it and can actually move on.

[u/maraney]

How vindicating!! I’m glad your health mystery was solved, OP! And that you will no longer have to suffer.

I’m sorry you had to go through this, but I definitely relate to the feeling of finally knowing what was wrong after a long time of suffering.

[u/90sShadowDiva]

Wow, I never heard of this but I can totally relate as someone living with chronic pelvic pain since my teens. I’ve had hundreds of doctor visits and have taken taken multiple treatments over the years. The stigma you get, every time you go back and they just don’t know what you have. One doctor told me it was all in my head, another got weird with me.

Anyhow, I finally found the right diagnosis and relief in my 40’s.

I had Pudendal nerve pain, that was triggered or worsened by myofascial (muscle and connective tissue) dysfunction in the pelvis. A physiotherapist helped me and gave me coping strategies. Every now and then it flares up but I know what it is and what to do now.

It’s such a relief knowing what you have and getting validation for what you went through.

So happy you know and are better now!

[u/softhumanbean]

I was diagnosed with adenomyosis almost 2 years ago through some imaging/symptoms. I was told birth control or hysterectomy were my only options, and birth control has always mucked me up in some way. I'm really scared to go through with the hysterectomy because it's a big surgery, and I've heard the recovery can be rough, but I'm quickly reaching a point where I know there's no other alternatives. How was your experience with the surgery, if you don't mind my asking?

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/softhumanbean]

Honestly, it was better than some of my periods. The worse was the next 2 days but even those weren't too bad to never have to go through a period again. I felt it was easier than a c-section or natural birth. My biggest issue is trying to make sure I continue to take it easy because internally I am still healing. I do recommend if you have kids to have someone watch them for a week or two, so you don't have any added stress. I scheduled mine so that my kids were on summer break and could visit there grandparents.

[u/WifeofBath1984]

I literally just got diagnosed with adenomyosis about 3 hours ago. I also have PMOS and am perimenopausal so I think I ignored my horrific periods for far too long. I'm actually SO RELIEVED to know what's going on and to have a treatment plan in place. I thought this was just my lot in life. So to know its not something I have to live with is actually so freaking exciting for me! I cant wait to not have horrible cramps and exhaustion and mood swings (we are also treating the perimenopause, naturally). Such a huge relief!

[u/MaidenMT]

I am so, so happy you finally have the reason and are free! I had to wait till my hysterectomy to find out, too. Best damn years of my life since I got rid of that debilitating monthly pain.

[u/xXleggomymeggoXx]

Wow. This is eye opening! My symptoms match to a T but my doctor swears its normal. During labor I legit said "oh wow, this is like my period" everyone in the room looked at me crazy. I was also induced with pitocin, which I've read can make contractions worse.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/xXleggomymeggoXx]

I hope that you are able to find a doctor that listens and respects that you know your body and that you are able to get answers. Not enough of us are able to get someone to listen to us and help us find the answers of why we have whatever we have.

[u/waywardwyytch]

Congratulations seems like a weird thing to say, but honestly it feels like you won something when you finally get a diagnosis. I was also just diagnosed with Adeno (as well as Endo), it only took me being 12 years old until almost 40 to find out I had it as well. I am booking my hysterectomy when I see my Gyno next month

[u/EducationalRegret903]

Babe if you are in the US do NOT eat salad right now

[u/SnooDogs5539]

interesting - I had never heard of this. So very appreciative of the education.

[u/Emergency_Peanut_252]

Glad you finally have an answer, OP ❤️ So many of us can relate. You’re not alone. I got diagnosed with adenomyosis two years ago. Had literally never heard of it. They also suspect endometriosis. I’ve never been pregnant and am 27. I guess sometimes pregnancy/having C-Sections can exacerbate it if you already have it, so many diagnoses are made after pregnancy? Idk. Mine was visible on an ultrasound.

My pain is a lot better now, being treated by both an IUD and a progesterone-only BC pill but it’s frustrating that the only options are medications that have other implications or surgery that would inhibit my ability to become a mom. I know I will eventually get a hysterectomy but at this point, it doesn’t quite make sense.

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[u/lxxxr]

I have endometriosis. Big hugs.

[u/jaesea]

https://giphy.com/gifs/1mgPC5uRVeZ12xx8ky

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[u/esaffles]

My OB suspects the same for me, I'm getting a hysterectomy in a few months! Sorry you've been going through this, but so glad that you've now got relief

[u/IAmTheHype427]

Got my confirmed adenomyosis diagnosis at the start of this year, though without having had children (and never planning to). Suffering through varying levels of pelvic pain for half of the month, the horrendous bleeding, persistent IDA (iron-deficiency anemia), the clots…damn, the clots…

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/IAmTheHype427]

The clots, omg when I had my first baby they told me to call if I had a clot the size of a quarter or something and I said that's a small to normal size clot what are you talking about and I got a look like I was crazy. Looking back I am just like why did no one ever take me serious when I would say these things and not just treat me like I exaggerated. So many things have clicked into place.

[u/Gremmelinna]

I found out the same thing after my hysterectomy! My Dr said it’s her favorite surgery to do because people’s quality of life improves SO MUCH afterwards. It’s seems so crazy to me now that I was in such pain for so long and most people deemed it “normal.”

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/Gremmelinna]

My doctor was so excited for me and was like your quality of life is going to be so great after we do this.

[u/freckled_freak]

I'm 37 and just had Endo surgery. Same same but different. However I can relate to that feeling of validation. Like "I fucking KNEW something wasn't right and I wasn't imagining all this!"

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[u/thebrendawalsh → u/madame-maitre-d]

Girls rule

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[u/BigosFan85]

Hey, I just got diagnosed with adeno at 41. Before my ultrasounds were clear.

The pain during the day before and 1-2 day period is .....manageable with painkillers but I am unable to function with other people around. Energy levels goes way down, the same with my immunity. After week od that I have problems with boucing back into form.

One thing that krępa my spirits up with s the fact that menopause should stop this issue but we shall see.

[u/NotABreakfastGuy]

I was diagnosed when doing pre-op testing because mine was bulging through the walls, I'm so sorry you dealt with this. It's such a painful and demoralizing condition to go through. Happy healing

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[u/onionsandturbulence]

Sorry you had to go through all that. Please be careful with that salad, not all of that chicken is cooked all the way.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/onionsandturbulence]

All the chicken had a read at over 180 f, it was cooked fully, it was the way the lighting was when I took the picture.

[u/No-Transition8014]

Yes! Just want to add it’s a common reason unexplained iron deficiency anemia in women. So if you’ve been struggling with that - it could be why!!! My entire life I’ve had iron deficiency anemia to where I have never been cleared to donate blood. No one ever looked into why until recently.

And it’s also common reason for female infertility like PCOS. I have been pregnant exactly one time my entire life. After over a decade of marriage we finally got the one chance with my “geriatric” pregnancy 😂 . It took another decade later before I got my diagnosis. I literally never knew my periods were abnormally heavy, that my pain was abnormal, because my moms were the same, and so she was my only reference point.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/No-Transition8014]

I knew my periods were probably the cause of my iron deficiency but we didn't know why they were like they were. I was lucky enough that it didn't affect my fertility but so much of my life just clicked into focus learning this diagnosis.

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[u/eastbaypluviophile]

I developed adenomyosis after a failed endometrial ablation at the age of 51. My periods would send me to the ER because it felt like I imagine labor would feel (I am childfree). Your uterus is basically trying to expel itself.

My gynecologist scheduled me for a hysterectomy after my second ER visit where the 15-year-old doctor on duty tried to tell me it was just back spasms. After a six week recovery I’ve never had a problem since.

Glad you finally got relief but I cannot imagine having periods like that for 23 YEARS.

[u/CompetitionDecent986 → u/eastbaypluviophile]

I simply felt that was what periods were, I never understood how my friends could participate like normal in school. I knew it was bad but reading about this has been eye opening of how bad it was.

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[u/Salty-Sprinkles-1562]

Hey, I just found out I have to too! 

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[u/shen-ani-gans]

I'm so glad you finally got your diagnosis! It's so good to know what's 'wrong' with you, and to know that you're not crazy, etc. etc.

I got diagnosed with adenomyosis when I was 19, but only after a trip to the ER 2 years before from not being able to move one day because of how bad the pain was, and having many, MANY, scans and tests and whatever -scopy.

I had such irregular periods, I thought it was just a normal thing for me, but when I say irregular I mean like not having my period for a while year when I was 15 (I was a healthy weight, and had no other health issues), to having a mid-heavy flow for almost 6 months straight. They would also be painful periods where I would have to take prescribed painkillers sometimes just to numb me. It took 4 gynecologists to diagnose me, and I was sooooo happy when I had a name for it and it wasn't just me being dramatic since no one else seemed to find periods as bad as I did.

[u/Outside_Spirit_6856]

I always had horrific periods, and my husband realized when I would get really off mentally/emotionally a steak would help. I think I was really anemic, probably, and that's why it helped like it did. He used to come home to me crying in the bathtub. He was always very sweet though, at least lol I had four kids and when I was 35 felt a mass in my abdomen and thought maybe it was a hernia. Turns out it was a cyst the size of a grapefruit and they removed it and my uterus (and fallopian tubes and cervix.) They said the "complex" they removed was the size of a basketball. Which would explain why I looked pregnant no matter what I did... I saw adenomyosis in my paperwork but that specifically was never really discussed with me. I didn't realize that was probably a big part of what caused me so much pain, until just now. I went and looked it up. I'm 40 now, and I do not look pregnant anymore lol I can wear white pants any time of the month. I'm also no longer bed ridden every time I get my period which is fantastic. If you still have your ovaries though I've found it can be difficult having the hormone fluctuations without a period. I would get PMDD pretty bad, then start my period and be like OH! I'M NOT ACTUALLY CRAZY! Not having a physical indicator of where you are in your cycle, kinda sucks actually lol I try to track based on symptoms. I worry a lot about my daughter though. She's ten now and I now it's coming for her. I'm hoping she's spared all this but looking at my mom, my sister, and myself... 😬 Sorry for rambling so much lol Anyway, I'm so happy for you finding answers and relief! ♡

[u/Life_Improvement_825]

I have this, diagnosed through imaging and years and years of heavy, long, and painful periods and finally at 45, we are talking about hysterectomy. Finally have a dr who listens to me.

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[u/Charming_Function_58]

Wow! Thanks for sharing, and I really hope you have some relief now after the hysterectomy!

I have had exactly the same period symptoms with no explanation, and I almost want to look into this. But I'm in chemical menopause now for different health reasons, so... guess I may never know 😅

It's really horrific to suffer that way. I would have cyclic vomiting and be on the floor in pain until I literally passed out from exhaustion. No amount of medication was enough to help the pain or prevent the nausea, and all my doctors could do was give me birth control. Which helped, until I could no longer take them for other health reasons. Being a woman, what a journey lmao.

[u/Sensitive_Concern476]

Adenomyosis almost killed me. That emergency hysterectomy is simultaneously the most traumatic and best ever thing to happen to me.

No more periods after decades of intense symptoms feels SO FUCKING GOOD. I can wear white pants with no fears and that's still weird 2 years later.

Getting answers is validating. I'm so glad you got yours, OP❤️

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[u/ShellyLovesTacos]

Same thing happened to me. Horrible debilitating periods my entire life and no one ever took me seriously. Yeeted everything last March at 51 and there it was.