Pelvic Pain & Irregular Periods: Potential Causes & What to Do

Question
About 6 months ago I started to have some pelvic pain in my lower right side. It was a sharp pain that would come and go. Ever since I had my son 2 years ago my periods seems to be worse pain wise. But only occasionally bad enough for me to be in bed.  My cycles have always been 27 days (for five years of charting, we are an NFP family) but the last 3 cycles they have been 32-33 days long.  Last period I bled for 8 days.  Periods seem to be heavier than I remember in the last couple years with the last period including a lot of clots.  Had some tailbone pain for about a month with some rectal pain. Also always feel like I need to make a bowel movement alot but cannot. I do have a bm everyday though.  Cramping and pain during ovulation and at other times of my cycle. Some bloating and also depression. I just got insurance and have an appointment with a nurse practitioner in a week but am SO scared about what she will find. I also have an aunt who had a hysterectomy from endo, a cousin who had a lap done and my mother probably had endo but it was never diagnosed.  Do you think this might be what I have too? I am 29 and in good health except for being overweight.

Thank you for any insight you can give me. I am an absolute wreck after reading the Internet for weeks.


Answer
Hi Jonda,
    Sorry so late in responding...our family has not felt well lately!
    Anyway, first question, have you had a lap test yet? That minor procedure would for sure indicate the presence of endo. But the determining factor, I would think, is the fact that other females in your family have had endo. Same with me, my aunt and grandmother both suffered from endo. Thus, I have it.
    Your irregular periods and pain are definitely a symptom of endo. I had the pain and heavy periods in addition to my endo several years ago, and it turned out that I had several fibroids on my uterus. I had them removed and tested and they were fine. But that too, can cause the unusual bleeding.
    But endo as a whole can cause all of your symptoms. It really screws up your daily life...you do feel fatigued, always uncomfortable and do experience back pain. My back pain was primarily caused by the inflammation of the endo and the fact that I had a tipped uterus, which also caused bowel movement issues.
    I ended up being on birth control pills for about 15 years to help my estrogen levels, and that was great...but I eventually started getting migraines and had to stop them.
    I now take a prescription called anaprox that is a anti inflammatory, I take it just before my period, during and after if needed. I have also taken it during ovulation, as I also have cramping and stabbing pains from my ovaries. It is an inexpensive drug and really helps.
    I hope your appt goes well and that you can find good treatment. I would say, "yes", you have endo...
    Take care of yourself and Merry Christmas!