u/InformalTick

Age/Sex: 31 F

Height/Weight: 5’7, 144 lbs

Race: Caucasian

Location: USA

Medications: dicyclomine, allergy medication (OTC)

Allergies: Penicillin, bactrim

Smoking/drinking/recreational drugs: na

Existing diagnoses: IBS-C, chronic pelvic pain/dysmenorrhea/dyspareunia; possible adenomyosis/endometriosis being considered

Duration of complaint: Pelvic/period pain since around age 15, progressively worsening over years

I’m looking for guidance on whether pursuing a second opinion is medically reasonable after a negative laparoscopy.

I have had progressively worsening gynecologic symptoms for years, including severe period cramps, heavy bleeding with clots, cyclic pelvic pressure/pain, right-sided ovulation pain, pain with sex in certain positions, cramping for days after sex, constipation that worsens around ovulation/period, pain with bowel movements, bloating, and occasional urinary slowing during flares / burninf urination with no presence of UTI/STD. I also have IBS-C and had a prior colonoscopy spring 2025 without major findings.

Because of suspected endometriosis, I recently had a robotic-assisted diagnostic laparoscopy with possible excision/fulguration. I was told no endometriosis was found, but no biopsies or tissue samples were taken because my surgeon did not see visible lesions. So I do not have a pathology report confirming or ruling out endometriosis. I do have the photos, I am willing to share in private. I'm not comfortable posting them directly on reddit.

At my follow-up, the options discussed were mainly hormonal medications/IUD versus hysterectomy. I have already struggled with hormonal birth control side effects, including daily cramping, nausea, breakthrough bleeding, and missed work. I also do not want children, so hysterectomy has been discussed, but I’m worried about making a major decision without understanding whether endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, or something else is driving my symptoms.

My doctor told me I need to figure out “what side effects and symptoms I want to live with.” I understand all treatments have tradeoffs, but I still feel like I don’t have a clear explanation for my symptoms or confidence that subtle endometriosis/adenomyosis was fully ruled out.

My questions:

After a negative diagnostic laparoscopy where no biopsies were taken, is it still reasonable to seek a second opinion from a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery/endometriosis specialist?

Does a “negative laparoscopy” mean the same thing medically if no tissue samples were taken, or does it only mean no obvious visible lesions were identified?

Can subtle/atypical endometriosis be missed if only obvious lesions are looked for?

Are peritoneal pockets/Allen-Masters windows something that should be specifically evaluated or biopsied if symptoms strongly suggest endometriosis?

Would pelvic MRI be useful for possible adenomyosis or deep infiltrating endometriosis, even if ultrasound and laparoscopy were not definitive?

What records should I bring to a second opinion: operative report, surgical photos, ultrasound reports, symptom timeline, medication history?

Is it reasonable to pause before deciding on hysterectomy until I’ve had a specialist review?

I’m not asking for a diagnosis from Reddit, just whether a second opinion is appropriate and what questions I should ask so I can make a more informed decision.

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Hi everyone. I’m 31 and trying to process whether a hysterectomy may be the right next step for me, and I’d really appreciate hearing from people who had similar symptoms or uncertainty before deciding.

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I’ve had severe pelvic/period symptoms for years. My cramps started becoming significant around age 19 and have progressively gotten worse. I was put on BC in highschool to surpress my cramps and stopped around 18. I have very painful periods, heavy bleeding with clots, pelvic pain, pain with sex, cramping after sex, bloating/“endo belly,” ovulation pain that can be severe, lower back/hip pain, and GI symptoms that seem to worsen around my cycle. On average I get 5 good days following the end of my cycle until it all starts again. This has been trending for about 2 years now.

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I recently had a diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis, but I was told everything looked normal and no biopsies were taken. My doctor now suspects the issue may be uterine, possibly adenomyosis, and mentioned medication options or hysterectomy. I’m struggling because I want answers and relief, but I’m also scared of making a permanent decision without feeling like I fully understand what’s causing my pain.

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For those who had a hysterectomy around my age or for symptoms like heavy painful periods, suspected adenomyosis, pelvic pain, painful sex, or negative/unclear endometriosis workups:

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Did hysterectomy help your pain and quality of life?

What diagnosis did pathology end up showing, if anything?

Did you have adenomyosis, fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic congestion, or something else?

Did you keep your ovaries? Have you had side effects or hormonal issues?

Were there symptoms it helped vs symptoms it didn’t help?

Do you wish you had done anything differently before surgery, like MRI, second opinion, pelvic floor PT, or more imaging?

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I know everyone’s situation is different and I’m not looking for medical advice as a replacement for my doctor. I’m just trying to hear real experiences from people who have been in this gray area before making such a big decision. Simply... i am scared.

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I have my follow up post op 7/1, I plan on asking for a MRI to see if there's anything obvious that would warrant a hysterectomy. I do not plan on having children and my husband had a vasectomy, so he is fine with anything that helps me. Tentatively I have an appointment with an endometriosis specialist 9/10, unsure if i want to keep the appointment and just proceed.. this option was given to me in February by my doctor. I have a family history of endometriosis so I am shocked my surgery showed nothing...

I have a robotic diagnostic laparoscopy with endometriosis excision coming up soon, and I'm starting to prepare for recovery.

For those of you who have been through surgery, what were your must have post-op items? Or things you didnt think of, and ended up wishing you had sooner? I'm looking for things that genuinely made recovery easier or more comfortable, whether that's clothing, pillows, heating pads, snacks, medications, entertainment, mobility aids, or anything else you wish you'd had from the beginning. I've been told start miralax several days prior to prevent constipation, bought a pillow for my seat belt on the ride home, I have 2 heating pads I already use, a heated blanket, and alot of herbal teas..

I'd also love to hear any recovery tips, things that surprised you after surgery, or items you bought and ended up using constantly.

Thank you! I'm feeling a little nervous but excited to finally get some answers.