Just a little background info; I have PCOS(Polycystic Ovarian syndrome) and an underactive thyroid. The PCOS makes my periods irregular. I went from not having a period at all, to having about 20 periods in the last 12 months. Last May (05), at my annual, I hadn't had a period in a while so my Dr. gave me progesterone to get them started. I only needed to take one cycled dose and I started having a regular monthly period. In the past 4 or 5 months I seem to be having a period that lasts a week+, then when it's over, I have another one in two weeks; not a lighter one, but a regular period. At my last exam on Thurs., my Dr. wanted to do an endometrial biopsy. I have had those before and the pain just about raised me off the table. The thought of having another one immediately tensed me up. I'm a big chicken when it comes to pain. (I know, I should grow up, lol!) Instead, I have to get an ultrasound, and blood tests, and a mammogram (my first mammogram and I've heard they hurt too) Has anyone had this experience?(Even if you don't have my health issues) The Dr. has me scared, thinking I have cancer or something. Advice? Comforting words? TIA!!

By Tripletmom on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 10:07 pm:

I'm sorry you're going through this (((HUGS))) I have no experience except my periods last longer than 7 days lately but nothing compared to what you're going through.Lots of tests can get overwhelming and thinking the worst doesn't help.We women can be our worst enemies.I think you're Doctor has you're best interests at heart.It's nice when a Doctor can order all the tests and do a process of elimination.There's nothing worse that 1 test at a time and it taking forever to get results.I'm sorry again and I will says prayers for you (((HUGS)))

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 10:25 pm:

{{{HUGS}}} The joys of being a woman! LOL! I've had several mammograms. For me they can be slightly uncomfortable but I wouldn't describe them as painful. Honestly, I'd rather get a mammo than put my feet in those darn stirrups. LOL! I had a laparoscopy this past Dec. to remove an ovarian cyst. My Gyn had been monitoring it for several months via ultrasounds and was concerned because it was solid and not going away. Turned out to be endometriosis. I'm much better since the cyst has been removed but my Gyn warned that endo tends to return. I think your doctor is being cautious, which is a good thing. Vent here any time and please keep us posted.

By Mommmie on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 11:07 pm:

Mammograms are a breeze for me. Not painful at all. One tech told me it depends on the person/tech doing it. They can make it more or less painful. They should use the hand turner to squeeze instead of the foot pedal.

Also, see if you can get some valium or something before another biopsy.

By Hol on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 01:58 am:

I don't find mammograms painful. They just squeeze you a lot because the flatter they can make the breast the better thay can see what they need to see. I have been going to the same place for 12 years. They now have a foam pad that they put on the shelf where you place your breast. It does make it more comfortable.
I look at it as a very brief discomfort to put my mind at ease. Definitely worth it.

By Pamt on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 09:33 am:

I have fibroids, so I've had an ultrasound and I had a baseline mammogram at 35. The mammogram is awkward, but not painful. It is all about the tech doing your mammogram. The foam pads that Hol mentioned might help, but I didn't get one. I work at a hospital solely for women and we charge $5 for the pads. I hear people coming out of getting a mammogram all of the time saying, "Well, that wasn't so bad."

As for the ultrasound...you need to drink A LOT of water before you go...like 48-64 oz. They told me to drink water (but now how much) and I drank about 2 glasses---NOT enough. If your bladder is distended then they can do an abdominal ultrasound. Since I didn't drink enough to distend my bladder I had to do a vaginal ultrasound. It's not terrible, but I would have certainly preferred the other way.

By Kaye on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 10:03 am:

I haven't ever had the issues with the missing periods. But the last part of your post is something I have recently dealt with.

My doc did blood work and an ultrasound. I didn't get an option for and abdominal ultrasound, they were doing internal no matter what i drank. So make sure you ask. I had to empty my bladder before they started.

With the ultrasound they looked at the lining of my uterous. They did some sort of saline wash inside, this didn't hurt at all, but felt different. The saline doesn't match body temp and that isn't something you feel often...LOL. Based on what they saw, they also did the biopsy. YES that hurts...boy does it hurt. I have a high pain tolerance and didn't expect that.

Ultimately for me they decided 1, my hormones just aren't working quite right. And secondly the endometrium is just not shedding all the way. And last I have several fibroid cysts, one that had recently ruputured.

I had 3 options, to do nothing, but wait and see if thing get better after the wash. I could start taking a low dose BC pill to jump start my hormones. Or the last option was to have endometrial ablation done. (for more info look up www.novasure.com). This is basically a DNC and hten they burn the inside of your uterus, under anes. This will keep you from having periods for sometime, they don't know how long. The last is only an option for those who no longer want kids.

I chose to wait and see, things have been going much better for me.

Good luck.

By Crystal915 on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 01:49 pm:

((((Sandy)))) I haven't had the joy of a mammogram yet, but I feel for you with period problems. I recently started on the pill for 3 continuous cycles without taking the placebo, because of endometriosis and getting my period every 3 weeks instead of 4. Period problems are the worst!! Let us know how you are doing, and what the doctors find.

By Beth on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 02:11 pm:

I am 33 and had a mammo becasue my tissus is just sort of lumpy anyway. I didn't think that it particuarly hurt. I have also had problems with my period in the last year. I had ovarian cysts that went away after taking the pill for 6 months. I took myself off then because I hate the pill and so far so good. But I am beginning to suspect they could be coming back. I do things like spot for several days before starting. I had the ultrasound it is uncomfortable. I have a high tolerance for pain and the only thing that really bothered me were my periods during the time I had the cysts. I thought it was worse then child birth and I had my son natural. So I guess you can say I feel your pain! Hope all goes well whatever you decide.

By Sandysmom on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 02:20 pm:

Thank you all so much for caring as much as you do!! I will update when I know something. I really prefer not to go on BC only because it causes me to gain a little un-needed weight. I hope it doesn't come to that. ((((((hugs to all of you!))))))))

By Kiki on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 11:18 pm:

I have the same condition. It's annoying have no periods to bleeding weeks at a time. I wouldn't worry too much. It's all part of the condition and I am sure everything will check out.

I haven't had a mammogram yet. I think next year but my friend has one done every year and it's uncomfortable for her because she's a small A cup and the tech usually smushes her breast in the machine (ouch!).

As for the ultrasound, call ahead to see if they are running on time. There's nothing worse than drinking all that water and them running late.