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How can I tell if it's pregnancy or endometriosis?

A MyEndometriosisTeam Member asked a question 💭
Atl, GA

How do pregnancy symptoms with endometriosis differ from pregnancy symptoms without endometriosis? Also, I had a laparoscopy done last month on the 17th.. am I still going to have a lot of the same symptoms? Or are these symptoms all supposed to be gone? The reason I'm asking is be I'm cramping like crazy and it's 4 days until my period is supposed to start. That's supposedly a pregnancy symptom, but that is my normal... should I expect that as well as fatigue to still be my normal?

February 13, 2017
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Answer Summary

Members connected over the challenging question of distinguishing endometriosis symptoms from early pregnancy signs, especially after... Read more

Members connected over the challenging question of distinguishing endometriosis symptoms from early pregnancy signs, especially after laparoscopic surgery, with several sharing they had struggled with the same confusion during their own fertility journeys. Several members offered practical guidance, including waiting until the expected period date or later to take a pregnancy test for more accuracy, using ovulation predictor kits and charting cycles with apps like FertilityFriend to maximize post-surgery fertility, and being aware that the first period after a lap can sometimes be worse than usual. A recurring theme was the importance of understanding that traditional ablation surgery may not remove all endometriosis and can create scar tissue, with one member sharing that excision surgery and a PSN procedure for adenomyosis had given her complete pain relief, while another emphasized that pregnancy-related cramping can sometimes worsen when endo is present on the uterus or abdominal wall.

A MyEndometriosisTeam Member

@A MyEndometriosisTeam Member If you're 3 days from your expected period, you *could* get a positive on a urine test but I would wait until you're either on the day or late by a day before testing. I have heard that your period will be worse than usual the first time after a lap, mine is due in a week so we'll see :S Do you know for sure that you ovulated after your surgery? A sign of that would be sore breasts on the outsides when pressing...

Honestly, I would recommend starting to chart your cycles and using OPK test strips (Wondfo brand is great) to pinpoint ovulation if you're going to seriously TTC since they say our fertility is best just after surgery. It would give you the greatest chance at conceiving as quickly as possible :)

February 15, 2017 (edited)
A MyEndometriosisTeam Member

Unfortunately a traditional lap with ablation will leave much Endometriosis untouched and create scar tissue. Seeking a surgeon who can vaporize the endo and excise it all is much more beneficial. As far as pregnancy symptoms, while some experience relief, others of us, myself included, find the cramping to be much worse. Since I had endo on the abdominal wall and the lower 1/3 rd of my uterus every movement hurt especially after 12 weeks. Your pain could also be pelvic floor muscle spasms, pcos, and adenomyosis. For adenomyosis you could have an expert perform a PSN. Most insurance will not cover this. In my case I found it worth the $ to pay out of pocket as I have had 0 pain since September 2015.

February 14, 2017
A MyEndometriosisTeam Member

If you are not going to use it I would really appreciate that. I'll be praying for you. I'm so glad you're feeling better after the lap.. I still have every endometriosis/pregnancy symptom there is... :-(

February 15, 2017
A MyEndometriosisTeam Member

Oh that's good! I highly recommend FertilityFriend, they have an awesome app and you can use the website to track as well...I have a coupon code for buy 1 month, get two months free of the premium service if you'd like it :)

I'm starting to feel better, I recently figured out I had a UTI from being cetheterized and now that's going away I am much better. I'm due for AF in about a week so I'm hoping it won't be terrible!

February 15, 2017
A MyEndometriosisTeam Member

@A MyEndometriosisTeam Member, now I have been using opks. I haven't kept a chart as I should. I'll need to start doing that like you said. The reason I believe I ovulated is because I did have a smiley face with my opk.

How are you feeling after your lap? My first period after the lap was not horrible. It came three days after the surgery and I was taking Percocet though. Keep me up to date.

February 15, 2017

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