menstrual problems

[shellyday.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone,

it's been a very long time since i visited this community or posted, but the information and advice given is always so excellent!

Here is my problem:
i'm 28. i have horrible periods, primarily menstrual cramps that are sometimes debilitating, although the bleeding isn't super heavy.
Over the past year or 2 i have started to get some mild cramping about a week before my period actually starts.
I also have very sore breasts, probably 9 out of 10 cycles that start about a week before and go away within a day or two of starting bleeding.
i have a fair amount of moodiness which seems worse around ovulation.
i have been told that i have endometriosis and was prescribed Yaz, which i took for about a month (this was about a year ago), and got scared by side effects (moodiness, anxiety, no sex drive, and finally restless leg symptoms). i have a female partner and so am not concerned about birth control.
My primary reasons for wanting to "do something" about these symptoms has been the menstrual cramps, but then recently, i've begun having vaginal pain. i use the Keeper (menstrual cup) for my period but it has become too painful to take it in and out. I started using organic tampons and they are painful to take in and out too. I don't usually enjoy vaginal penetration during sex.
Then this past period i had a new pain near my left ovary that was during when i was bleeding and in addition to my usual menstrual cramps, but was more sharp and hurt more when i pressed on it.
The final weird thing that has happened is that my breasts, for the first time ever, hurt still on the end of my period, i'm on the 6th day.
i also get a headache at the end of every period, every cycle, for a few years now.

I have a primary care provider who i see and had an exam with in February, but i don't feel like she really listens to me and wants to put me on the pill again. i'm worried about side effects, but also ready to try something since my symptoms are all so weird and negatively impacting my life. i'm also concerned that i may be estrogen dominant but am not really sure what this means or what it means for my health care options. i've also used natropathic doctors in the past and may be open to this option but am discouraged by the out of pocket cost.

i would really appreciate any thoughts, advice, or words of encouragement that anyone has to offer.

thanks in advance :)

Comments

[kuradi8.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmmmmm... I don't like that you were dismissed by that doctor. The fact that she didn't seem to listen and prescribed something that you really didn't want sends up major red flags in my book. I recommend finding another doctor. I wouldn't say there's something "wrong" but something is definitely off-kilter. Call your insurance company. They usually have a "second opinion" option -- and if you like that 2nd doctor better, make him/her your primary.

As for your Keeper, that's a really STIFF cup. If you like its size and shape, the US Moon Cups are identical in size and shape but made of softer silicone. Or if you think you might want a different cup, check out http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/1285963.html Many of them are soft and squishy. And they're all softer than your Keeper, which ranks as the stiffest of them all.

[shellyday.livejournal.com]

so, i scheduled an appointment with a gynocologist tomorrow. it was the person who prescribed Yaz and diagnosed endometriosis. so i'm hoping i'll figure something out...
also in terms of a different menstrual cup, that's a good idea. i tried the diva cup and didn't like it but i would try the moon cup.
thanks :)

[archangelbeth]

I would look into endometriosis as a potential cause of the pain. Annoyingly, the best treatment does tend to be some form of hormonal birth control, but there may be other possible treatments -- and it's possible other forms of HBC might do better for you than Yaz.

For the moodiness, I'd suggest getting checked for vitamin deficiencies: vitamin B, iron, and ferritin (which is also another way to measure iron, but may show a deficiency before your iron values drop, as I understand it). While you're in there, I'd add thyroid and vitamin D as an overall "keep an eye on these" health thing.

For the vaginal pain, I'd first investigate a potential infection -- BV and yeast can both present with no other symptoms except painful penetration.

Can you find another PCP who listens to you, perhaps? Though if you can be a Politely Pushy Patient and get the tests that you want, you may be able to put up with this one -- it depends on how trainable she is. (I've got mine relatively trained to give me tests when I want, and tweak around my thyroid meds as desired, so long as I stick within the guidelines from .gov sites like Medline.) It's not ideal; the best thing is to have a doctor who is heavily invested in you feeling as good as possible. But a trainable doctor can be adequate, depending on if you can get a diagnosis.

If you don't get any indication of infection, and the vaginal pain is continuing and not just during your periods, you may wish a referral to a Pelvic Pain Specialist. I know they (generally) treat vaginismus and vulvodynia, but presumably they are also able to rule those out and figure out other causes of pelvic pain.

I'm not finding any material, on a quick google, about estrogen dominance that comes from either a .gov site, or the Mayo Clinic site. This suggests that at best, estrogen dominance is not well-researched, and there may be claims about it which are all out of proportion to what abnormally high estrogen/low progesterone can really cause. However, from the description, a POP (progesterone only pill) might be useful to you, if you really are suffering from an overdose of estrogen. A Mirena IUD, I believe, may also provide progesterone?

I hope that's useful data for you! Good luck!

[shellyday.livejournal.com]

i think endo might be the problem...
i made an appointment w/ a gyn for tomorrow and am hoping to have another vaginal ultrasound and maybe some blood work to check hormone levels.
i had a bloodwork panel done recently and was fine in everything except vitamin d, which i have been taking about 1/2 the days of the week. i have a bottle of b complex, which i probably should take but haven't been. had my thyroid checked too and it was normal.
the vaginal pain could be yeast, when i had my annual exam in february i did have a YI and took a few doses of fluconazole, which i'm hoping knocked it out. i didn't have many symptoms to begin with so i'm not sure i'd be able to tell if it was gone.
my doctor is trainable/ trained, she pretty much will give me whatever tests i want (i suggested thyroid to her) but i just am not feeling like it's the right fit with her. i would switch if i knew i'd have the perfect doctor, but it seems so hit or miss that i'm hesitant :(
thanks for the advice :)

[archangelbeth]

Do note that for endo, ultrasounds are unlikely to pick it up. IIRC, laproscopic surgery, to actually look around with a camera, is the most definitive way to diagnose it. Which is kinda ugh, but if you have it, being diagnosed could be very important.

You may want to check the tags: http://vaginapagina.livejournal.com/tag/endometriosis may have information for tests to ask for.

I hope you get a good gyno! (If you do shop around for another doctor, you could probably just make appointments to talk about your health, and see if someone seemed to be a good fit or not? You don't have to actually tell your current doctor, "See ya!" until you find someone you do like.)

*crosses fingers*

[stick-on-stars.livejournal.com]

I would try and find another doctor if you don't feel your current one is listening to your concerns.

This probably isn't a solution but might tide you over on the painful cramps front... I was prescribed mefenamic acid for cramps. I take it a few days before each period and it's gone from vomiting/fainting/doubled over pain to just a dull ache. One magic month I even started my period without realising as there was no pain.

I hope you find something that helps.

[shellyday.livejournal.com]

i tried naproxen combined with codeine and i thought i had been better off with the iboprofin. the problem with taking something before my period is that my period is so irregular that i don't want to potentially add several days each month of medication. my cycle is anywhere from 28 to 36 ish days. i kind of don't mind because it means i get it less but i also am not able to know when to expect it or take some pain killers preventatively. i have an appointment with a Gyn tomorrow, i'll ask about mefanamic acid. thanks :)