Tl;dr MRI showed up signs of endo with rectal involvement but wait on NHS for surgery could be 2 more years which is unbearable. Mirena IUD has been suggested, if you have mainly GI endo symptoms has it helped? How was the adjustment period, especially if you found normal birth control awful?

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I had a pelvic MRI in December to look for endometriosis and had a telephone consultation with gynae to talk over results and treatment, results confirm probable endo. It was a whirlwind and different to what I expected. Plan pre results was for a laparoscopy but my gynae isn’t an endo specialist and there’s rectal involvement so I’m being referred to a endo centre… wait on NHS is about six to nine months for a appointment and they estimate maybe 18 months further for surgery wait after. Two years total, added to the almost year I’ve waited to see gynae after I was finally able to get a referral through.

So… I’ve been offered the Mirena coil or Zoladex as only treatment options for now. I’ve had awful experiences with mental health with previous BC and quite honestly am freaked about having something done that I can’t stop easily.

Asides from that I’m so worried about the adjustment period for Mirena - anyone who has mostly GI endo symptoms (rectal bleeding, crippling stomach discomfort, diarrhoea or more recently constipation) mainly around their period, while you had erratic bleeding on Mirena did you get those GI symptoms?

Does Mirena (IUD) help to avoid further bowel adhesions?

There was a line on my MRI report about something that is uncertain but possibly one of fibroid/adenoymosis/fibrotic scarring. My gynae didn’t mention any of this and I only managed to get hold of my MRI report this week. If I do have a small fibroid or adenoymosis, is that something that may affect how much Mirena helps?

I’ve got a consultation privately with an endo specialist to discuss possible surgery etc but have to work out what to do about Mirena first. I’m autistic and have issues with medical trauma so am having sedation if I do get it… meaning I have a limited time to work out what to do. If you have rectal adhesions or mainly GI symptoms, has Mirena been useful?

As you can see I have so many questions! My gynae app was by telephone and was v rushed so I didn’t have time to process and ask my concerns there. If anyone has any personal experiences around this I’d love your thoughts. Thanks so much! My MRI is in the comments in case anyone here has medical experience or has seen similar phrasing’s on their own.

Lurking on this community has been so helpful the last few months, sending wishes for health to you all