I'm 18 and my mom has endometreosis, and she says that a lot of women in my family have had "female problems."  Can endometreosis and other problems be genetic?  If so, what signs should I be looking for?  Is there any way I could could tested for it?  I really want to be able to get pregnant someday and I don't want anything to ruin my chances.  Serious, informed answers only please.
207722
Okay, here are some signs:\nabnormal or absent periods (not always though)\nabdominal pain that seems to worsen during period or around ovulation\ndifficulty getting pregnant\nsharp pain on one side\n\nHere's the rest:  these could also be symptoms of many other things.  So, my advice is relax and take it one day at a time because being on the pill actually lowers the risk of severe endometriosis and is good for the symptoms.\n\nAlso, many women have a mild form and don't ever know it.  I had it early on about your age and delivered 3 healthy babies with no problems.\n\nThey don't test you for it.  They usually do ultrasounds but they are only 2-dimentional so if the symptoms are really bad and being on the pill doesn't help, they may go in and do exploratory surgery.  \n\nYes, it can be hereditary.  But it may bypass you, too.  Just relax.  Sounds like you are fine right now.
477900
It sounds like PCOS to me. It is a myth that PCOS is all about having cysts on your ovaries. Only about half the women with PCOS have them.Your best bet at getting answers is seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. You only need to show one symptoms of PCOS in order to have it. I also recommend not taking any drug without instructions from a doctor. I dont know if the abortion pills would have effected your body (I dont know much about them).  Here is some general info about PCOS:\n\n The underlying cause of PCOS is insulin resistance (IR). The best treatment for PCOS is going on an insulin sensitizing drug such as metformin (1500-2550mg per day) combined with a low carb diet and exercise.There are a few important things to know:\n\n1. Many women "pass" the test for IR, but still respond positively from the metformin. No one knows exactlly why..my thought is that the test is not a sure fire way of detecting the IR.\n\n2. You must be on a high enough dose of metformin. I've heard women complain that their bodies dont start working even though they've been on metformin for awhile. Some doctors are hesitant to up the dose past 1500mg...but for some of us it takes more. I don't respond until my dose is around 2000mg a day. \n\n3. It can take a few months on the correct dose, before your body is regulated. \n\n4. It is important to treat your PCOS even if you are not trying to get pregnant. There are higher risks for many things (high blood pressure, blood clots, diabetes, and many other things) when you have PCOS, but if it is treated properly, then those risks go back to a normal rate. \n\nI recommend seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. They are the most knowledgeable about PCOS. I also highly recommend visiting http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhp... It is a great message board, where you can ask all your PCOS questions. The women there are great. Good luck.
577005
For free, current and accurate info on the disease, offered with no hidden agenda other than to support and educate patients, visit the Endometriosis Research Center @ www.endocenter.org. Their literature states:\n\n"About Endometriosis:\n\nWith Endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, with Endometriosis, these implants have no way of leaving the body. The implants still break down and bleed, but result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur. Endometriosis has also been found lodged in the skin - and even the brain.\n\nSymptoms include chronic or intermittent pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation is not normal!), infertility, miscarriage(s), ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, dyspareunia (pain associated with intercourse), nausea / vomiting / abdominal cramping, diarrhea / constipation (particularly with menses), painful bowel movements, painful or burning urination, urinary frequency, retention, or urgency; fatigue, chronic pain, allergies and immune system-related illnesses are also commonly reported complaints of women who have Endo. It is quite possible to have some, all, or none of these symptoms. Endo symptoms are varied and often nonspecific, so they can easily masquerade as several other conditions, including adenomyosis ("Endometriosis Interna"), appendicitis, ovarian cysts, bowel obstructions, colon cancer, diverticulitis, ectopic pregnancy, fibroid tumors, gonorrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cancer, and PID.\n\nDespite today's age of medical advances, researchers remain unsure as what causes of Endometriosis. There is NO CURE, despite the continued propagation of such myths by the uninformed who still mistakenly believe that hysterectomy, pregnancy and/or menopause can "cure" the disease. Invasive surgery remains the gold standard of diagnosis, and current therapies continue to remain extremely limited, often carrying side effects.\n\nMistakenly minimized as "painful periods," Endometriosis is more than just "killer cramps." It is a leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, and accounts for more than half of the 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the US annually. Despite being more prevalent than breast cancer, Endometriosis continues to be treated as an insignificant ailment. Recent studies have even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and other serious illnesses in those with the disease, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself.\n\nResearch has shown that genetics, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxins like Dioxin may all be contributing factors to the development of the disease. Endometriosis knows no racial or socioeconomic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause. The disease can be so painful as to render a woman or teen unable to care for herself or her family, attend work, school, or social functions, or go about her normal routine. It can negatively affect every aspect of a woman's life; from her self-esteem and relationships, to her capacity to bear children, to her ability to be a contributing member of society.\n\nThe disease can currently only be diagnosed through invasive surgery, and the average delay in diagnosis is a staggering 9 years. A patient may seek the counsel of 5 or more physicians before her pain is adequately addressed. \n\nOnce diagnosed, it is not unusual for a patient to undergo sev
223900
Visit the Endometriosis Research Center @ www.endocenter.org. Their literature states:\n\n"About Endometriosis:\n\nWith Endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, with Endometriosis, these implants have no way of leaving the body. The implants still break down and bleed, but result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur. Endometriosis has also been found lodged in the skin - and even the brain.\n\nSymptoms include chronic or intermittent pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation is not normal!), infertility, miscarriage(s), ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, dyspareunia (pain associated with intercourse), nausea / vomiting / abdominal cramping, diarrhea / constipation (particularly with menses), painful bowel movements, painful or burning urination, urinary frequency, retention, or urgency; fatigue, chronic pain, allergies and immune system-related illnesses are also commonly reported complaints of women who have Endo. It is quite possible to have some, all, or none of these symptoms. Endo symptoms are varied and often nonspecific, so they can easily masquerade as several other conditions, including adenomyosis ("Endometriosis Interna"), appendicitis, ovarian cysts, bowel obstructions, colon cancer, diverticulitis, ectopic pregnancy, fibroid tumors, gonorrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cancer, and PID.\n\nDespite today's age of medical advances, researchers remain unsure as what causes of Endometriosis. There is NO CURE, despite the continued propagation of such myths by the uninformed who still mistakenly believe that hysterectomy, pregnancy and/or menopause can "cure" the disease. Invasive surgery remains the gold standard of diagnosis, and current therapies continue to remain extremely limited, often carrying side effects.\n\nMistakenly minimized as "painful periods," Endometriosis is more than just "killer cramps." It is a leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, and accounts for more than half of the 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the US annually. Despite being more prevalent than breast cancer, Endometriosis continues to be treated as an insignificant ailment. Recent studies have even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and other serious illnesses in those with the disease, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself.\n\nResearch has shown that genetics, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxins like Dioxin may all be contributing factors to the development of the disease. Endometriosis knows no racial or socioeconomic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause. The disease can be so painful as to render a woman or teen unable to care for herself or her family, attend work, school, or social functions, or go about her normal routine. It can negatively affect every aspect of a woman's life; from her self-esteem and relationships, to her capacity to bear children, to her ability to be a contributing member of society.\n\nThe disease can currently only be diagnosed through invasive surgery, and the average delay in diagnosis is a staggering 9 years. A patient may seek the counsel of 5 or more physicians before her pain is adequately addressed. \n\nOnce diagnosed, it is not unusual for a patient to undergo several pelvic surgeries and embark on many different hormonal and medical therapies in an attempt to treat her symptoms. None of
426756
PCOS, polysystic ovarianan syndrom would be my guess. It causes women to be overweight, affects the endocrene system including sugar in a manner simmilar to diabetes and can cause diabetes, affects the frequency of periods from having few to many. Women with PCOS can become pregnant but it is often difficult. Sugar regualtors and birth control are often perscribed to take care of the symptoms which include excess testosterone, facial hair, a bump on th neck, and ovarian cysts. This is just my guess from  what you said the doctor wanted to do, check it out for yourself.
561503
At your age it isn't uncommon to miss a couple of periods for whatever reason.  You may have the beginning of endometriosis (build up of tissue) or PCOS and have yet to develop the common side effects like hair growth.  If you eat alot of junk with sugar you could be insulin intolerant and at the start of developing a fertility disorder.  Junk food silently assaults your body.\nGo to a gynecologist and have them run hormone screenings to make sure your body is producing the right chemicals.  Some epilepsy drugs can cause you to not get your period.  So can eating disorders and depression.  Stress may be the culprit here but it's best to have it looked at.
258028
I'm not a doctor but I started having colon problems (Crohn's) when I was about 27. If you have Crohns, Colitis, IBD, it can start at any time and it can also be hereditary. My problems started when I let myself really get run-down. Definitely see a Gastroenterologist who can let you know what is going on down there. A good diagnosis can result in good quality of life in most cases. Best of luck to you!!!! Cheers!
321951
GET A SECOND OR THIRD... FIFTH if that's what it takes, if there is something wrong, eventually it'll surface. Doctors can be wrong too. The more oppinions the better! \nGood luck and God bless, really the endocrinologist is a good idea!
249373
While it can be normal, it can also be signs of things like early pregnancy, so my advice would be go to your gynecologist as soon as possible to have problems ruled out, especially if you're sexually active.
580168
This could very well be normal.  Some people have an odd system that causes them to grow hair in odd places.  Some women have facial mustaches, or beards-look at grandma if you want better ideas.  \n\nThere is also a condition that IS known to medical science where the person has an extra cromosome.  I know I read about this one chick that didn't realize how awkward her situation was until about 30 or something.  She married a man (apparently she was a normal everyday woman) and then discovered she could not conceive.  Several tests later, she discovered she could not conceive because this woman was technically supossed to be a male at birth, but for some reason the testosterone did not develope at the proper stage of fetis growth, so the remaining estrogen production continued.  I think her Chromosome situation was XYX?  Where only two chromosomes are required for "normal" humans to determine sex, she somehow had both sides of the coin with a odd "mutation" of sorts if you will pardon the crude word.  (Imagine if you have a string of letters making a sentence so that it makes sense to read aloud--ie DNA/gene sequence coding- but then, as the chain of letters is being read loud, someone else had the ability to grab on the the last word of the sentence and gain improper context of the sentence-a possible enzyme or hormone that triggers on the last chromosome, in this case incorrectly as she had three instead of two)\n\nIt is also possible that as your body matures and grows with age, medication, and cell stimulation (whatever the cause of this cell stemulation is) might be manipulating your hormone production as it does with certain grandma's causeing odd things to happen to their bodies.  It is not uncommon.\nIf you are actually this worried about your gender, please...by all means see a doctor and validate your concerns with your doctor.  the Doc will definitely do what it takes to satisfy your curiousity, although I am certain it will end up costing quite a bit in lab tests and result confirmations.
333351
Go to the Doc's and ask about "Endometriosis" (I hope I spelled it right) LOL.... But it's sounds like that's what you have! Nothing horrible but basically it means you have a "tipped" uterus. I have 4 kids but it took me almost 3 yrs to get pregnant with my first one!My period's are real bad and I have cramps like you wouldn't believe too. So go to the Doc's and ask him about this! You'll be ok, I promise!! And this one website is good to www.webmd.com i love it!!!! Let me know!! Good luck!!!
169241
I think the problem is the health of the baby - the risks are higher for women over 35 to have a child with downs syndrome, or some other defect. A lot of women nowadays though, are choosing to wait until they are older - they may have tests to determine your risks.\n\nGo to www.webmd.com and talk to your GYNO about it!
190012
I have a condition called PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) it is tied with hyperinsulinemia. I take 500mg of glucophage everyday also know as metphormin. I would consult your DR. It sounds like you may or may not have PCOS. Your DR should test your insulin levels and hormone levels to see if you have a hormonal or insulin imbalance. If it isnt PCOS keep pushing him/her to find out what is going on with you. I was lucky to find out about it when I was 12 because now I still have a good chance of getting pregnant and my PCOS was able to be held at stage 1 since i began treatment so soon. So my top suggestion would be GO TO THE DR!!!!!!
184611
I HAD AND STILL HAVE ENDOMETRIOSIS AFTER MAJOR SURGERY. WHEN I DID WANT TO BECOME PREGNANT- IT TOOK ME A YEAR TO GET PREGNANT.DON'T HAVE SEX ALOT LIKE EVERYDAY THAT DOSEN'T INCREASE YOUR CHANCES. TAKE OVULATION TESTS. HOLD YOUR LEGS UP AFTER SEX SO THAT STUFF (SPERM) WON'T COME BACK OUT.\n\nGO TO CALCULATE MY OVULATION-TYPE IN WHEN YOUR PERIOD WAS AND IT WILL TELL YOU ON WHAT DAY(S) YOU ARE MOST FERTILE. GOOD LUCK!!
191690
I'm not sure what your question is, but here's a list of Endometriosis organizations that may be able to help you.\nhttp://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=lang_en&q=endometriosis&btnG=Search
67193
You should go see your doctor.  My Mom is 43, and she had the same problem.  It turned out to be Fibroids.  She had to have surgery, and is doing much better now.
212489
if you are female then look into endometriosis i had similar problems for years and years and every doctor i went said i was fine then i found a gyn that diagnosed me i had a hysterectomy and i am all better so research it your and good luck!