Two years ago I received my second “abnormal” pap result. I was told that I probably had cervical dysplasia, or abnormal cell growth on my cervix, and it was recommended that I have a biopsy to confirm and check the extent of growth.
I’ve written about this several times over the last year and a half, starting with this post, and while the initial stress of dealing with this and the physical discomfort from the LEEP has subsided unfortunately it is still something I am aware of most days. And I’m far from alone. I regularly get comments on these archived posts from women who are in pain and under a lot of stress and confusion. It was a difficult decision for me to be open about it in the first place because it felt personal and emotional but I am so glad that I did. Sharing my experience has actually helped ease some stress and that seems to be true for the many readers who have commented on how much they appreciate being able to connect with others in a similar situation.
In October I wrote this follow up post. I didn’t mention it in that post but around that time I started having really painful periods and the nagging pain in the right side of my pelvis that started after the LEEP was increasing.
After the LEEP I developed pain in the lower right side of my pelvis and down my right thigh. The doctor who performed the procedure was not really concerned or interested by this and told me “I don’t know, never heard of such a thing”. After dealing with it for several months Tate, who is a chiropractor, suggested that he could work on my psoas muscle. After a series of (kinda painful!) ‘releases’ I got some relief! That was February 2012.
I have a theory. It is only a theory. I think that when I had the LEEP the anesthesia did a little nerve damage to something on the right side of my pelvis and that I did something weird to my psoas during the procedure. When the doctor was going in with the electric loop to burn microscopic cells off my reproductive organs he warned me “not to move AT ALL” or he might burn off more tissue than intended. You better believe that my entire body was clenched and locked up, paralyzed with fear.
When I discovered that psoas release could help with the pain I felt more than just physical relief. Couple that with two clear follow ups and I was starting to feel like I could leave the whole experience as a memory, a blip on a pretty clean bill of health. Then the painful periods started and an almost constant ache in the general vicinity of my right ovary.
I knew that I wasn’t going to be satisfied with the doctor I’d been seeing, so on a friends recommendation I went to see a Certified Nurse Midwife. She spent a lot of time getting my history and talking with me then performed a pap. When she looked at my cervix she was able to see that it had had a LEEP and in her opinion it was a good, clean one and had healed well.
She also told me that I probably have endometriosis.
Fuck.
Endometriosis is a very common issue for women to experience and one that can range from no symptoms to very painful ones and serious complications. UGH.
Basically, the uterine cells grow rampant, like potentially in distant parts of your body but most commonly around other reproductive organs. Unlike the uterine lining that sheds each month, these cells have no where to go and no way to dispel from the body. The result can be pain in the pelvis, thighs, and low back, all of which I’ve been experiencing.
My understanding that the only real way to diagnose or confirm endometriosis is through laproscopic surgery, which is rarely necessary. Otherwise a doctor makes the presumption based on symptoms. The most widely accepted way to deal with any resulting pain is prescription birth control pills.
No thank you.
This is a very personal opinion and choice but for me birth control pills are not my first line of defense. I was on them for 10 years, 8 of which I had very horrible insomnia and a lower sex drive. I’m not saying that the pill caused insomnia but I do feel certain that a hormonal imbalance played into it. A hormonal imbalance that I am apparently still dealing with because that is a main contributing factor to endometriosis.
The good news from that visit was that my pap was normal! No more dysplasia!
I am going to write about how I’ve decided to deal with and treat endometriosis but this post is getting way too long, look for it later on this week.
Please share your personal story or any experience you have with cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, or endometriosis! You can do this anonymously if you like but I do encourage you to talk about it and share if it’s something you’ve dealt with.
I don’t have endometrosis, but I’ve been diagnoised with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). That is also typically managed through birth control, which isn’t ideal for a number of reason, most importantly that my husband and I are trying to start a family!! (so now I’m on clomid)
My hormones are also out of balance and my chiro did a release on my lower back and after nutritional testing, it came up that I have a sluggish thyroid and am on a thyroid supplement. This hasn’t really helped my PCOS but has completely eliminated my sugar cravings. These cravings were OUT OF CONTROL and I would crave sugar so bad that I could literally smell it. As a result of no sugar cravings (or even desires!) I’ve lost 7 lbs.
Thanks for sharing Katie. That’s wild about being about to smell sugar! I’m so glad for you that you were able to find a solution for that. Best, best, best wishes with conceiving!
Wow, I can relate! About a year and a half ago, I was in severe pain every.single.day from cysts and polyps that were completely covering my left ovary & tube (a few on my right) as well as periods that were coming multiple times per month. They did surgery to remove them (all but one on my tube that would have required them to completely remove my tubes if they tried and since I was only 24 they didn’t want to do that obviously). This was when they also were able to confirm the endometriosis. After surgery I was then put on a medication that basically forced my body into a version of menopause in an attempt to get rid of the endometriosis. After 3-4 months of that, I was put on birth control to “bring my system back to life” though it took another 3-4 months before I was even spotting. About a month and a half ago (maybe two?) I took my last birth control pill (not because a doctor said so but because my insurance ran out) and I just started getting a period again. I work for a chiropractor and they’ve been very supportive in my attempts to heal naturally and get off of all my prescription meds and get my body to it’s normal state. What’s to come is still unknown…
Would a different type of birth control pill be a good alternative?
wow, faith. I’m sorry for this hardship, but amazed at your bravery in sharing it. I’m anxious to read the second part. I agree with you about birth control pills. I didn’t suffer insomnia but definitely lower sex drive. I’d be resistant to ever going back on.
Thank you Allie.
My room mate has a fantastic book that I just looked through briefly for mention of endometriosis. It doesn’t seem to approach alternative therapies for it, but discusses the higher tech options that are out there. However, I think the book would be well worth taking a look at, as it is called “taking charge of your fertility – the definitive guide to natural birth control, pregnancy achievement and reproductive health”. My room mate has used herbs for instance, for many years, as a 100% successful alternative to birth control. I am looking forward to figuring this out myself and plan to buy this book to start learning!
best wishes to you Faith!
Yes, TCYF is an awesome book! It should be required reading! Thanks for the reminder.
Shit. I’m sorry to hear about this complication. Although, I’m happy to hear about the clean pap. I’m curious if Maya abdominal massage may help. This sounds like quite a journey you are beginning. But one, I think, you will handle with grace. I know we don’t know each other well, but I’m here for support, sister!
Thanks Natalie! xo