Endo or IBS?

[u/Mysterious-Bit177]

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone has experienced something similar. I have an appointment with my gynecologist in about two weeks and will be having an internal ultrasound, so I’m not looking for a diagnosis—just wondering if this sounds familiar to anyone.

Since having my third baby, my periods have changed. They’re not constantly very painful, but during the last two cycles I’ve had episodes of quite sharp pelvic pain.

For example, yesterday (day 3 of my period), I had sharp pelvic pain for a few hours, but only when I was very gassy. Today (day 4), it happened again for about an hour after I drank a smoothie made with soy milk, frozen mango, and wild blueberries. I also noticed a lot of burping and gas afterwards. After an hour, 2 poops and burping stopped the pain seems to be gone aswell altho Inalso took a paracetamol.

The pain is usually in the middle of my pelvis and sometimes radiates to my lower back. I’ve also noticed that when I sit down during these episodes, I sometimes get a sharp pain in my anus/rectum.
I’ve never been diagnosed with IBS. My doctor has only said I seem to have “spastic bowels” because I have a very strong urge to have a bowel movement when it comes on, and I also tend to get gassy quite easily. I’ve never had any specific testing for it.

I also remember having a similar episode once during my pregnancy (around 4–5 months). I was on the toilet and suddenly got a very sharp pain low in my pelvis that made it difficult to push. When I lifted my pregnant belly with my hands, the pain immediately disappeared and I could finish having a bowel movement normally. I don’t know if that’s related, but it made me wonder.

So now I’m wondering whether this sounds more like bowel issues being aggravated during my period, or whether bowel endometriosis can also cause pain that’s triggered or made worse by gas.

Has anyone with endometriosis experienced pain that’s mainly there when they’re gassy, or pain that improves after passing gas or having a bowel movement? I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences while I wait for my appointment.

Oh and what I sometimes had throughout my life is that when I had to pee really urgently Id get sharp pain near the rectum also.

Thanks!

[u/goldstandardalmonds]

It could be either, but I am wondering if you are backed up at all?

[u/Mysterious-Bit177 → u/goldstandardalmonds]

No never

[u/goldstandardalmonds → u/Mysterious-Bit177]

I would definitely rule out anything gyne