I have had surgery for it once, and the doc. said i had it really bad.  But i was wondering if there are other side effects also, i know that alot of the time (all through the month) i go through alot of emotional ups and downs and i get tired and fatigued easily.  Im in the process of changing doctors because i feel like my doc. is ignoring me since he did the surgery.  But i know that sometimes my cramps are still really bad and nothing helps (otc wise).  But it's like he don't care or something and just gives me the same meds as someone without endo.  Is that o.k.?  I don't want to sound like i "need" something stronger, but sometimes i really do.
132802
Find a new doctor.  Endometriosis is something that a lot of doctors just are not able to treat effectively.  \n\nI used to have periods that were so bad that I would basically pass out.  If you have pain then your doctor should work with you to manage it.  Telling you to take Midol is not acceptable.\n\nI'm not sure if there is a proven connection between endo and fatigue but I'll bet there is.  I've had this pretty much since I started my periods at 11 but it got really bad at 16.  I was diagnosed at 26 and I'm 30 now.  For most of my adult life I feel like I'm 80 and not 30!  I was always tired and slept a lot while my friends were going out and staying up all night.  Can't tell you for sure but that's my experience.\n\nRight after my surgery I was put on Lupron.  I only made it 3 months instead of the usual 6 because of the bad side effects.  This is something that I wouldn't recommend as a first choice.  After that I went on BCP.  After experimenting with a few I got on Yasmin which worked for me.  I still have pain every day but it is nothing like it was.  I used to be in constant pain and now I notice it a couple of times a day.  If it gets bad ibuprofen usually helps to keep it down.  \n\nEndo is weird because the amount of scarring and implants isn't necessarily related to the amount of pain.  My left ovary is completely covered (can't really see the ovary) and my right only has a couple of little implants.  I feel most of my pain on the right side.  My doctor said that he has seen women with a gut full of scarring who had no symptoms at all.  Also, what one doctor describes as bad another describes as moderate.  Just be aware of this when dealing with doctors.\n\nPain is felt differently by different people so it is hard to say what you need.  Find a doctor that is willing to work with you and who isn't quick to say it's in your head.  Don't be afraid to interview doctors and ask lots of questions.  If you aren't comfortable with the answers move on.  Remember that you are hiring them for a service.  Be in control - this is your body.
667552
I'm on Yasmin, and it has been good for me. I went on it because I was having major cramps and blacking out the first day of my period. It has really helped. Now, I just get headaches the day before and of my period. So now I have to drink lots of water and take an ibuprofen and I feel normal. One of my friends took Yasmin and had to get off of it. She has been having trouble finding something that works for her and her body. I'd say either you haven't been on it long enough or it's just not right for your body. Bottom line is you need to get back to your practitioner and talk to her/him about it.
134386
From my own experience and a couple friends' experiences, it does hurt quite a bit (imagine your worst menstrual cramps tripled), but the pain only lasts a couple days. The first period or two afterwards can also be pretty bad. My friends and I found that all we needed for the pain was a higher dosage of ibuprofen (600-800 mg instead of the usual 200 mg dose we'd take for cramps). Other painkillers like Vicodin and Lortab might also do the trick, but I'd be surprised if you needed anything that serious.
277544
I was on this pill for 1 year.  I had problems the 1st 3 months with spotting, & almost switched when it stopped. I had horrible mood swings & gained weight(it came off with exercise though) The mood swings were the worst though. Then in March I started bleeding again so I got switchd to Ortho Novum which is awesome (except for a few headaches). The thing is, every woman is different so pills affect everyone differently. You just have to try them until you find the right one.  And you are going to have some symptoms with any kind of pill.  There is a good website called www.askapatient.com that you can enter in any drug & read reviews from people that have taken it.
223940
I know a couple of women that have had the surgery.  They are all doing fine, with the exception of minor problems. stomach cramps, tiredness, and hair loss
496498
i had the IUD for about 9 years and recently had it removed. first of all, i was completely happy with the IUD. it is effective and i didn't have to worry about doing anything, except check for the string once a month. i can't remember any of the side effects (if any) when i first had it inserted (it's just been way too long) but during the 9 years, the only down side i experienced was heavy periods. now, i got used to this, so it was no big deal. except now, i'm anemic, so i had to get it removed. i plan on getting a new IUD in a couple of months because i was so happy with it, but i also plan on taking iron supplements when i get it. right now, i have other issues going on, so i have to wait to get a new one. but i totally recommend it. :)
607380
Oh, honey, I am so sorry!  This is exactly why I had to go off the pill.  You would think it would make you more even-tempered, but NO.  At least not in my case, and apparently not in yours, either!  That's not to say I don't still have PMS ... but one thing that helps is being able to know what it is.  When you know you're reaching that time of the month, prepare yourself & your family!  As soon as I can tell myself (and my family) that I'm in a foul mood due to PMS, I feel like I can better control it.  Other than that, I would say you can ask your dr. if it's okay to take things like St. John's Wort, or if he has other suggestions.  He may suggest a lower dose of the pill, but it sounds like you've already tried that.  But he may have other suggestions as well.  I feel for you ... it's not fun for anybody!
371163
I have not had the surgery but cared for many post-op. The thing about post-op pain is it's never the same for any two people. If you've had surgery before it may help show how well you handle pain.\nThe main point I wanted to make to you was that across the board, the results of the operation also vary widely from person to person. Be prepared to not see a lot of improvement right away-but I hope you do!
21698
I had all my female organs removed includeing my cervix in 2000 at the age of 36. I am still on hormone replacement after 5 years to control the hot flashes. I am not cranky like the old wives tales say. Now this is just what I have been thru. Vaginal dryness....I am more sensitive to foods as in I get nausia several times a week that lasts for several hours at a time. I have had all the tests run possable to find out why this is happening and they find nothing. I get more headaches since the procedure. My skin is dryer and my hair is a little thiner. It sounds bad, but it's so much better than what I was going thru when I had my period.\nHope this helps you.
658166
Well, it really depends.  Are you getting just the uterus out or the ovaries, too.\n\nI had just my uterus out because of sever bleeding.  It was the best thing ever.\n\nI felt a bit tired and a bit sore for about two or three weeks.  Then I got better.  For a few months, if I went on long walks or did quite a bit of lifting, I had some pulling pain (not bad) on the insicion line.  Other than that, no problems.\n\nI had no beleding afterwards.  That meant I got stronger quickly.  I no longer have to worry about carrying "supplies" or counting vacations for the right time of month.  I feel very free.  Sex did not change at all, except that it is never a bad time.  (Of course, there is the usual first few weeks when you don't to let it heal.)  But there was no change in sensations for either me or my husband.  The only thing I can not do that I used to do was get pregnant, but I have four kids, so it is good enough.\n\nTry to relax.  Most people I have talked to say it was the best thing they ever did.  If you have your ovaries out, then you can expect some hormonal changes, but your doctor should be helping with managing those.
22243
That's actually a great question, and yes, I've been on the pill for about 3 years now, and at first I did have that problem. I was on ortho tricyclin, which I blame it on. Because it gradually decreases in strength each week, tricyclin pills tend to have adverse side effects n some people. Once I switched to Yasmin, I think it's called a monocyclin, it all got better. That specific pill gives you the same amount of hormone every day of the month. I've been less moody, and more interested, if you know what I mean. The bad part is that Yasmin does not yet have a generic brand so it is a bit more expensive, but I'd totally recomend it. My doctor switched around my prescription right when I said I was feeling moody. \n\nBut then again, I may be totally off. This article may help: \nhttp://www.twshf.org/pdf/desire_diff_brochure_3_fold_twshf.pdf
666027
I had endometriosis (sp?) - and had a hysterectomy (I chose to) -- it caused me to have very heavy periods with bad cramps.  This could be the problem - it's very common - and it can be treated without a hysterectomy so don't let me scare you.  I was done having babies and all.
382885
Didnt the doctor tell u this will lessen your periods? Its normal. \n\n\nI've been on it for 6 months and I've had 3 periods, I even took a preg test once!. When I do get it, it will last like 3 days. Its different for everyone. If you're really worried you should call your doctor.
545949
The emotional upheaval you are describing is  completely normal and not at all unusual after this sort of surgery.  Since you say that you had a partial hysterectomy done, I am assuming the ovaries were left, so you will still experience the hormonal shifts and swings you always did.  Some of what you feel is due to the disruption in the hormonal function which happens in most ladies after a surgery, and some of it is due to your mental state.  Although we all moan about the inconvenience of the monthly cycle, we still adapt to it as a normal part of our lives.   Even when things don't work quite right, and as sensible as your were to have it all taken care of, still- it takes some getting used to the idea that the motherhood option is gone.  How long it takes you to adjust yourself and move on depends entirely on you and the view you wish to take of things now.  Mind over matter, as it were.  If you can convince yourself that you really don't mind, since it now means the previous troubles are gone, then the rest won't matter.  Nothing about you that was really important to you has changed.  You simply don't have a uterus anymore, but you are certainly more than a malfunctioning organ, now aren't you?  Think about the benefits, and pay less mind to what is missing.     You no longer have to worry about a monthly cycle, and all the wonderful things that go along with it.  No more uncomfortable pads, no more spotting tampons, no more stained underclothes.  No more misery with heavy or painful cycles.  No more worry about why you are late, light, or heavy.   You will feel better physically as time passes and you complete the recovery from the surgery.  As the hormonal cycle returns back to it's normal pattern over the next month or so, you should also note an improvement over your emotional swings.\n  So far as the spotting, that really needs the attention of your gynecologist.  It could be something very normal and simple, or it could be sign of an infection.  Either way, put your mind at ease with a check up at the doctor.  You can also discuss the emotionalism you feel, and get some reassurance from the expert who knows your case best.    Don't worry about bothering him/her, or the nurses- they are very familiar with this sort of thing and can offer you the reassurances you need in flesh, rather than this impersonal internet thing.\n  Otherwise, you do sound quite normal and I wouldn't spend a lot of time worrying about a time frame to adapt or get back to your old self.  You have a new self to get to appreciate, once you are feeling physically better you should find it easier to discover a life without the worry of your previous problems and the rest should fall nicely into place.   So if you feel a bit weepy now, indulge in a few tears.  Treat yourself to a nice spa treatment if you can swing it, pamper yourself while you recover, and give yourself some time.   In another month or so, you will see things in a much better light I would think.
75808
I use to be like you. So much so that my boyfriend was afraid of me and he is the one that finally showed me on a calendar(he had been secretly charting my moods according to my cycle)that I was a crazy/dangerous woman particular times of the month.\n\nChanging my diet to healthier (you know the drill) and taking vitamins Brewers yeast shake, A-D combo, E400 IU, C 1000mg at least 1x per day (I usually did 2x am and pm)changed my whole life for the better.\n\nEven today, (20 yrs. later) if I go without vitamin supplements for a time, the crazy symptoms with my cycle start to return and now I am going into menapause.\n\nSo I am trying to tell you also that this won't just stop on its own. I've found I had to "fight for my womb"; it's health and it's "right" to exist.\n\nProcream Plus Natural Progesterone Cream by Eternally Fit has been my life saver now even without vitamin supplements (used it for 6 years). For I learned that those symptoms are due to Estrogen Dominance and will follow a woman thru the years of the different phases of her cycle and manifest as different "diseases", really bad cramps, heavy bleeding, fibroid tumors, endometriosis, mood swings, bad menopause experience etc..\n\nI have recommended ProCream Plus to friends of mine who are not into the vitamin thing and they too feel like they found a "lifeline".  I never leave home without it.\n\nIn addition, the product comes with an educational tape by a well known M.D. (who gets no $$ from the product).\n\nIn lay language he describes why we women go thru this, the root causes and how it is now indigenous to us as American women.  It is ear-opening but you find that you can't deny the truth of it.\n\nNote: DO NOT CONFUSE THIS WITH THE SYNTHETIC PROGESTERONE HORMONE TREATMENTS M.D.'s give (which usually augment women's health problems.)\n\nGod bless!
555305
I was on the Depo shot for two years and I actually lost weight. I weighed 115 when I started the shots and ended up at 103. I stopped getting my periods at all, and after the first year I began to suffer from depression, panic attacks, and insomnia. I got off the shot and very shortly after the depression was gone and no more panic attacks or insomnia. Funny, but none of the doctors I talked to while I was on the shot (I worked in a hospital, so was able to talk to a few) mentioned the fact that one of the possible side effects of Depo Provera is depression. It was only after they made me go seee a psychiatrist that the psychiatrist showed me this very interesting fact. Anyway, I will never recommend Depo to anyone after my horrible experience with it. Now granted, Depo has a higher chance of causing depression if you have a personal or family history of it, but it can affect anyone regardless. To be fair, I have heard of women taking the shots without any ill effects, and I also think that my family history did not help me in regard to depression-- and probably the reason they sent me to a psych was to be on the safe side, since I have a brother who committed suicide--but I will never get on Depo again, and in fact, I'm steering clear of any BC with hormones in it. The IUD is a good choice if you have had kids already and you can choose the Mirena, which has hormones, or the Paragard Copper T which has none. But if you are not in a monogamous relationship, best to use condoms as well, since IUDs will not protect you from STDs.
57950
You don't need a doctor for this.  There are no bad side effects.  Only good ones like an increase in endorphines, decrease in depression, etc.  Unless you do it on your roommates bed or while watching the neighbor with the curtains open, then you may get your butt kicked.