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[losttheplot]

Have you considered a hernia? It's one of the causes of pelvic pain that can be overlooked in women.

[Claire]

@taz yes for sure - the fact there is a 6cm fibroid on my right side where I experience the pain, it seems the most likely cause logically. But the consultant isn't so convinced! (This may be because she did an internal exam, was SO sure there were no large fibroids - then the ultrasound showed otherwise...I wonder if she is afraid of looking like she didn't know what she was talking about sadly?)

@losttheplot - interesting thought! But wouldn't there be a bulge or very different particular symptoms with a pelvic hernia?? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[losttheplot]

Hernias, don't necessarily bulge. Some can only be felt during examination if you are standing, and missed completely when on the examination couch. Might be tender if pressed on. Symptoms include lower (left or right) quadrant pain, general ache, sharp or dull pain, pain on bending or twisting, pain when sitting, can involve bowel symptoms.
I have general lower back ache too. I also have bladder/vaginal symptoms but that might just be VA.

[Claire]

Hey @losttheplot

I'm 5'10" and 9st 4lb so very slim...I cannot see or feel any abnormal bulge or tenderness...no bowel problems either so think this possibility is unlikely?

[Taz2]

I think it's the fibroid really. What treatment have you been offered? HRT needs to be carefully managed as it can cause fibroids to grow.

Taz x

[Claire]

Hey @Taz, I do agree...

Are there any thoughts on the possibility of Pelvic floor weakness? I've watched a few videos and seem to be able to do keggle's, pelvic tilts etc ok... although it's hard to tell. I don't seem to have any problems with orgasm if that might be a clue to pelvic dysfunction?

I have been given HRT - Evorel 50 (that made me really sick tho so am halving, plus Utrogestan (which also made me feel really sick after about 4 days) so am taking vaginally every other day.

I'm seeing a consultant tonight and having posted this question yesterday the only thing other than fibroid related pelvic pain I can think might be possible is the Pelvic floor muscle weakness.

I will see what she thinks and then ask her about this plus a few other questions.

[Joaniepat]

You might also consider pelvic floor hypertension, as that can cause pelvic pain. It's not advisable to do kegels without being assessed by a pelvic health physiotherapist first, as you could be making things worse.
JP x

[Claire]

Hey Joaniepat, thanks for this...would that not be generalised pelvic pain rather than one particular area?
(I don't suffer from constipation or painful sex either)

[Joaniepat]

Hi Claire. My own experience (diagnosed by my physio on internal exam) is that my PF is much tighter on the right side than it is on the left. When she does manual release I get referred pain down the right thigh, and when I had vulvodynia the right side always felt worse. I appreciate this is different from what you are suffering with, but it still might be worth seeing a pelvic physio for assessment.
Hope you can find some answers soon!
JP x

[Minusminnie]

If you do explore this route Claire i don't think all pelvic physios do manual/myofascial release if you think that is what is needed.

pelvicphysiotherapy.com has a list of manual therapists who do do it.

I've seen a couple of pelvic physios first one for an assessment and went to the second one specifically as i could feel that i had tightening muscles.

[Claire]

Thanks Joaniepat and Minusminnie...

I didn't mention the 5.6cm fibroid is abutting the endometrium... Not sure what that may mean exactly (no periods anymore so no heavy bleeding) but the consultant I saw on Thursday evening has explained that the position is pressing on my bladder and the reason I'm having to wee 3/4 times every night, day etc. It's 5am and I've not slept well as can't get comfortable at all tonight, lying in bed and thought I'd post, as you do

I AM going to be having a hysterectomy. She has said she is happy to go ahead with the surgery.

I'm helping very hopeful right now.
I've had to go down the other route so will be financing this myself with a loan. Nothing is more precious than good health 🙏♥️

[Minusminnie]

I'm sure others will be along re hysterectomy or you could do a search in the search box.  All i would say if you are paying privately is to check with the consultant as to how much aftercare she gives.  Take care.

[Taz2]

If the fibroid is abutting the endometrium then these do cause discomfort in the bladder and bowel so I would think that your symptoms are normal. Find out as much about the hysterectomy as you can and consider keeping your ovaries as even when post menopause they continue to supply hormone. Some surgeons, especially when the operation is done privately, remove them routinely

Taz x

[Claire]

Absolutely... Yes this is a last resort.

I'm was previously, as mentioned at the start of my post, very fit and healthy, only routine health checks and previously no meds. Had managed my perimenopause symptoms with exercise and diet. (Excercise = gym and weight training 5 days a week and 10k steps everyday for over 2 decades - completely reduced hot flushes etc)

No back pain or pelvic pain previous to this starting back in June last year and I've exhausted every other possible cause 😅 I endured months of physio 3x per day with a great determination to get myself well.

Going to see a private consultant was after I had the ultrasound diagnosis of the fibroids and the 6cm rhside - exactly where I'm experiencing my pain... and I am in so much 'gnawing' pain daily that I my life barely resembles the one I had a year ago.

I don't take having a hysterectomy lightly at all.... I'm not a 'quick fix' person... Even though I've been in menopause for 1 year (Jan 22 last period)  I was started on HRT a few weeks ago.... So hormone adjustment is taken care of 🙏

The consultant is a well respected specialist in Laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery. Also there are many patient ratings on various websites I have found after googling her

She came across as incredibly patient, calm, softly spoken and talked through all the pros and cons with me for over an hour. I do feel I have trust in her extensive experience and expertise.

For me this is about solving a source of chronic life changing pain - even if being able to sleep through the night is an after effect of the hysterectomy I think my life will improve for the better.

I've found some excellent info on this forum around adjusting my hrt when I started taking it a few weeks ago...

Thank you again ladies for all your feedback, support and helpful comments.

I will update and let you all know how things go over the coming weeks as I hope it will help other women too.

Claire 🙂♥️