I finally went to see a doctor who specialises in women's reproductive issues. She's not a gynaecologist, just a normal doctor who has specialised in this area. For the first time, i felt like someone actually understood me and was willing to help me find solutions to my problems!

My gynae diagnosed me with PCOS about 2 and a half years ago, but wasn't very helpful in terms of management of symptoms. I was already on the best BCP for PCOS, and she gave me Cyklokapron as well to ease the very heavy bleeding. But that didn't really help with the extreme pain that I have for around four days before my period and during the entire 6 days of my period. It also didn't help with the feeling of exhaustion that accompanies every period.

Anyway, this new doctor thinks that I probably have endometriosis which would explain the extreme pain as well as the excessively heavy bleeding, which should have been reduced by the Pill. Unfortunately I can't afford to have the exploratory surgery required for a proper diagnosis until next year (insurance).

Anyway, the point of this post was to ask this question. A couple of days ago my mother wanted me to describe the pain to her, and I couldn't think of an accurate description. The best approximation I could come up with was that it was a similar sort of pain to having a broken bone (constant dull ache, with occasional sharp stabbing pains), only there are no bones there! I couldn't even tell you which (exact) part of my body it is that hurts! I hope I'm not sounding like I'm whining or complaining, but I don't think most people appreciate how excruciating a supposedly natural process can be. I sometimes have such bad pelvic pain that I can't stand up, and I feel like I'm going to pass out.

How would any of you describe this pain? Any colourful or expressive descriptions would be appreciated, and perhaps then my mother might understand the kind of extreme pain I feel.

Another question I wanted to ask, one of the things that this doctor suggested as a possible alternative to the Pill once there has been a definitive diagnosis, is something called a Mirena. Its kind of like an IUD, but it constantly releases hormones and acts as a hormonal contraceptive, but you dont get your periods at all with it. Has anyone had any experience with this? Good or bad?

Thanks in advance!

- Datura