My husband and I have been trying to conceive since about December and have not yet. In March, I had a positive test when I was a day late, but then started my period 3 days later. We didn't have any trouble the first time I got pregnant in 2005, but had a miscarriage at 6 weeks, and then 3 months later I was pregnant with our son- no problems. I didn't get my period back until last August, after I went off the mini pill in July (I was breastfeeding). My periods seemed to return regular, but a few months later (more so since the first of the year and in the past couple of months) I start feeling like I am going to start my period almost a whole week before time- dull cramping in my back and sides and feeling very tired, almost like pregnancy symptoms. I went to my doctor the other day, and he said the symptoms I describe sound like it could be endometriosis. I have always been regular, 26-28 day cycles. Well, I started feeling like I was going to start Monday evening, and the dull cramping continues, and this morning I have started spotting, but it is day 24. I have never done this before. I just don't know what is going on. I was just wondering how common endometriosis is, does anyone else here have it? I have been so upset about this.

My friend has endometriosis and my niece's mom also has it. My friend had to go through numerous surgeries since age 15 to help with it. She didn't have alot of pain with it. She finally decided to go with IVF. She got pregnant with twins but only one baby (a little girl) survived. She's now one year old.

My niece's mom was told she would have a hard time getting pregnant and would need complete bed rest throughout her pregnancy. She has really bad pain with it and has to take shots. She didn't have a hard time getting pregnant like they said she would though. Her baby is now almost 2.

I think endometriosis is very common. I work for two doctors and have seen several women who have endometriosis. I don't really know what causes it but my friend went on Glucophage to help with it.

My husband and I are also trying to conceive since about 2006 with no luck so I know exactly where you're coming from. It's so frustrating. I've never had a positive pregnancy test. I don't know what the problem is (PCOS, endometriosis). I need to see a doctor really soon but I'm so scared. I have irregular periods except for when I was on birth control. I hope you're okay and have that baby you want so bad. Good luck and God bless!

I have it but have not yet tried to get pregnant, but am planning on getting IVF. The only way to diagnose endometriosis for sure is to have a laparoscopy-you're doctor can't make a diagnosis without actually looking inside. My advice is to get a diagnosis as soon as you can so that if it is endometriosis you can treat it because it can get worse if untreated (until you hit menopause). They haven't yet discovered why women get it, but recent research is leaning towards an autoimmune component. Other theories include exposure to toxic chemicals, heredity, etc.

ps-I don't know what kind of dr. you've been seeing but I recommend an OBGYN who specializes in infertility or a reproductive endocrinologist. There are other things that can cause those symptoms as well so it's helpful to have a dr. who knows what tests to do and what to look for. Good luck!

T, if your friend didn't have any pain with hers, how did she know she had it? And why did she have the surgeries? I was just wondering.

I had always heard after having a child, if you have it, it should get better. But that doesn't seem to be the case with me. My period symptoms have been worse after having my son.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear about my friend/ex co-worker. She had told me she had irregular periods when she was younger. She went to the doctor and they told her she had cysts on her ovaries. She was diagnosed with PCOS and had to have surgery to remove the cysts when she was 15. Then when she got married and started trying to have a baby she couldn't get pregnant. She thought it was due to the PCOS and went in for more tests. That's when they found endometriosis also. It had began to grow in several places including her bowels. She went in to have it taken off. Her doctor told her she couldn't believe she wasn't having as much pain as most women normally have as bad as her endometriosis was (but she did have pain just not alot). I guess she thought it was from her PCOS before being diagnosed with endometriosis. My friend works at another job so we don't get to talk much anymore but I'll try to find out more about it if I can.