My stomach makes me look pregnant.

@foreverhaefish, From the many caring replies that you are receiving, it is clear that you are not alone in dealing with this. We care deeply for you and we are concerned with what you are going thru, as we would be for our own daughters. I join the others in urging you to seek medical advice. From my experience, I have learned that fear of the unknown is by far worse that an accurate diagnosis with appropriate treatment. Make a phone call for an appointment, and then take it one footstep at a time.
Hugs, Rosemary

Sounds like your parents don't have the best insurance. If you're 18 years old you can get your own health insurance. Maybe you can get student health insurance if you're full time student or apply on your own on mnsure if you're in Minnesota. Or maybe go to county social services to apply for medical assistance. I had a friend that had cyst growing on an ovary. It got really big and surgeon had to take it out. I never heard of this until it happened to my friend. Of course we are not doctors and can't diagnose anything. But I saw this happen and the cyst was so big it fit into a pail. Wow. Keep asking for help and help will show up. It always does when you're persistent.

Hello, I myself encourage you to seek help @foreverhaefish, I don't know how health care services work in the States, we have free health care here in Trinidad with health centers in every community, I'm sure there is some way you can get reduced cost care, please look after yourself, your life is much more important than anything else, I'm sorry your parents are not more concerned about your health but know that there is caring people on this forum who will encourage, support and prayer for you.

Hi @foreverhaefish. Any updates? Would love to hear from you.

hi ,I am 30 years of age. i used to have painful heavy periods in teenage and in 2007 or 2008 my periods got stopped for 6 to 7 months and gained weight,constipation. i was not in sexual activity so ruling out pregnancy here. i consulted lot of gynae at that time but nothing improved my situation.Periods restarted from a herbal syrup mensofex with just first dose.I stopped seeing doctors.I started having regular cycle but weight was still there .In 2016 i followed a fruit and veg diet and lost around 15kilos and reached 62kilos in weight.periods were still painful and my body used to get bloated .but now i am married for last 3 months .I am having my regular periods cycle with damn painful periods and my abdomen is growing bigger and bigger .I have lot of mood swings. i felt a slight sharp pain on left side for a month which is no more prominent but my tummy is growing bigger and bigger and i feel pain and exhausted like torn out that part.

Hello @shah! Thank you for posting your concern on Mayo Clinic Connect.

I would like to welcome you as well as introduce you to others that are also here with concern of painful and bloated belly.
Please meet community members, @Steph38, @gloriaeb, @luladavis and @nicole14. All individuals who have all discussed similar symptoms. Our community is a safe place to meet others and get support. You may also be interested in reviewing this conversation taking place called 'I am a relatively healthy person with a problem "bloated belly" http://mayocl.in/2kzG31r'

@shah, With your symptoms you have listed, it would be a good idea to entertain the thought of consulting with a medical professional again. Can you tell me if you are still experiencing constipation?

Here is a link to the Mayo Clinic Appointment line if you decide to seek a visit with a specialist. http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

hi @jamienolson thanks for the response to my post no i am not experiencing constipation anymore. I went through the provided link but my situation seems to be bit different.As i mentioned i had lost weight before marriage and My size of tummy and thighs have started increasing after marriage since last month. . .

hello, I'm here because I'm having these concerns as well. I'm 43 now. But noticed my belly changing once I hit 40. Is this the whole slowing down metabolism syndrome or something else. Ive been to my ob multiple times. However there not concerned. Just the regular pap, an move on. Ive had ultrasounds before as well. I'm thinking of radically changing my diet. Perhaps this will help. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Welcome @tilmykids,
You mention "radically changing" your diet. Changing lifestyle habits to healthier lifestyle habits is a good thing. But I reacted to the word "radically". I think most of us have experience with making stark resolutions only to see them fail. If you want a new way of eating to stick, I might suggest looking into the Mayo Clinic diet http://mayocl.in/1VaAfql

As the article explains "The Mayo Clinic Diet is a long-term weight management program created by a team of weight-loss experts at Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diet is designed to help you reshape your lifestyle by adopting healthy new habits and breaking unhealthy old ones. The goal is to make simple, pleasurable changes that will result in a healthy weight that you can maintain for the rest of your life."

Would you consider your current eating habits to be unhealthy?

@tilmykids, I would like to welcome you to Connect. This is a nonjudgmental forum where you can ask your questions, and share your experiences with others. I feel that your 'after 40' question is one that a whole bunch of us 40+ gals can relate to.
So, if your ob gyn is not concerned, have you talked with your primary care physician for some guidance about this concern?
I have a walking group. And, well, we all have varying degrees of that 40+, 50+, 60+, bulge. most are accepting of it as who we are, I encourage you to ask PCP if it is a normal body change, or possibly related to your metabolism or something else, as you mentioned.

I also encourage you to check out the link that Colleen has provided. The Mayo Diet promotes a life long healthy approach. I don't know what you mean about considering radically changing your diet. But perhaps, this more 'serious' approach that includes healthy eating as well as exercise might be something to consider.
Rosemary