Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice. For background, I have a history of extreme bleeding and spotting—my most recent episode has lasted 40 days. I am on continuous birth control, but I still have these episodes that usually end with a giant piece of tissue or a large clot.
I recently saw a new OBGYN who I really like. She didn't officially diagnose me with endometriosis, but she asked, "Has anyone mentioned it to you before?" and explained that my symptoms (especially the tissue and lining issues) act exactly like it. She told me that for an official diagnosis, I’d need surgery (laparoscopy), but noted that many patients opt out because the treatment—managing hormones with continuous birth control—is what we are already doing.
My OBGYN is a great advocate. When an ultrasound tech lied about doing an internal exam, my doctor yelled at them and made sure I got a proper scan the next day for free.
The ER doctors have told me it's either IBS and/or endometriosis. My OBGYN also said that for my colon, it's important to know if it's one, the other, or both, since they are so close and it can mess up your colon.
(Before you shame or say I used the er for a diagnosis purposes everytime ive gone was because the pain was so bad I threw up blood and the swelling causes to have problems with my urine flow which cause me to have kidney issues)
Right now our plan is just to continue the continuous birth control. She said if I have endometriosis, that is the treatment and that it's pretty much just managing hormones. I really like my OBGYN; she explains things really well and even stood up for me when an ultrasound tech didn't do their job right. Because she advocates for me, I would like to keep her.
Should I push for the surgery to know for sure? Or is my OBGYN right that since we’re already doing the "treatment," the surgery isn't worth it? I’m worried about my colon and kidneys if this keeps getting worse.