AIBU to think that I'm the only woman in the entire world to suffer from this bottom issue as it's just so bizarre no one else could possibly ever have experienced it? (TMI)

[Cringey]

Hello wise Mumsnetters,

Have namechanged as this is quite embarrassing.

Basically, I got my first period when I was 11. Ever since I was about 13/14 (so ages before sex/babies) every time I had my period I got this pain in my bottom which felt a bit like really bad cramps, but only on the 2nd or 3rd day, and only ever when I was on my period and never at any other time. It was so painful that it made me jump.

I gave birth to my DD almost 2 years ago when I was 24. I had an episiotomy as I just couldn't get her out and they were going to use the ventouse, but I managed without it in the end. I was in quite a lot of pain when I was being stitched by the doctor and told her so, but everyone just kept saying that I had just had a baby and what did I expect. It just felt wrong somehow. (I requested my notes and found out I'd had a 2nd degree tear.)

A little while after she finished stitching, I got the same crampy feeling in my bottom as I used to get during my period, just far more intense and sort of one one side. After a lot of um-ing and ah-ing by the midwife (who was lovely, just didn't know what was wrong), a different doctor gave me an internal examination (much more painful than giving birth, I could hear myself screaming as though it was someone else, if that makes sense), and he decided I had a haematoma, basically a big bruise, about the size of an egg. In my notes it says perineal haematoma as well as vaginal haematoma on different pages. From what I have read in medical articles, this is extremely rare. The midwife had never come across a haematoma, so I'm lucky the 2nd doctor had a clue. (If it had not been found, I could have died because of the blood loss.)

I had surgery 2 hours after DD's birth, lost more blood in addition to the PPH I'd apparently had, in total about 1 litre, so had transfusion. During the operation the doctor opened up the episiotomy again and extended it, drained the haematoma and put in 2 vaginal packs and a drain (taken out 2 days later) and stitched everything back together. The next day I got an infection, but that got sorted out with antibiotics.

I consider myself extremely lucky as everything has healed fine as far as I can tell, and sex is not uncomfortable at all, just as pleasurable as before. I am extremely grateful to that doctor.

For a while, I thought the surgery sorted out whatever was wrong before the birth, but a few months ago the pain in my bottom during my period started up again. It's less intense than it was before, and I'm not sure if it's bad enough to bother my GP with. I just really want to know WHAT it is. Is there a link between the pain that started up in my teens and the haematoma? What caused it?

Sorry for the length, I found it important to give the whole backstory. Any insight would be really appreciated!

No idea but totally fascinated . sorry! I hope you get some good advice. Keep pestering, don't let it go till you are satisfied you have a proper answer.

Could you possibly afford to see a private expert type person if you had to?

sounds like you need to get referred to a colorectal expert. Have you been to the gp for referral?

Querry Endometriosis. This condition is not rare or lethal but causes a lot of pain.

Its fairly common for it to effect your bowl and cause pain around the time of a period.

stabby pain when passing motions is classic endometriosis.. had it for years before getting diagnosed.

I get it sometimes during ovulation.
Could be endo or maybe referred pain from ovaries/uterus?

Me too, stabbing pain, very sudden sometimes, worse than childbirth

I get that too occasionally

Cringey

If you do go to the GP (and I would suggest you do so) ask for a referral to a consultant gynae.

I thought endometriosis as well when I read your message. Rectal pains can be quite common with endo. I have endo and get this stabbing type pain occasionally during a period.

Is it a stabby pain or a sudden cramping pain?

I have no idea but I have experienced this type of pain from time to time and I haven't had a period for 12 years!
I think as this is worrying you, stop googling etc and go to see your GP for a referral to a specialist.

I get this too - painful enough to catch your breath and make your eyes water.

another who gets it too. Not just time of the month - just seems to be when my body feels like it.

I once knew the name for it - can't remember it now but it isn't a concern.

I get this too - might have to get a GP appt! Does anyone know if endometriosis can start after childbirth, or would it have been evident before, if that makes sense?

Thank you for the replies so far, it's a relief to know it happens to others too (though I'm sorry it does)!

Just to clarify, it feels like a crampy sort of pain, rather than stabbing, and it's not during a bowel movement, it's always out of the blue.

It is interesting you bring up endometriosis as I had wondered about it before but dismissed it as my problem seems too insignificant compared to the quite serious pain I understand some women suffer due to the condition. Think I might make a GP appointment.

I'd really like to hear more thoughts.

Cringy - it may be endo. I have been suffereing really heavy periods for the past year, really bad ovulation pain which intensifies in my stomach when I pass a motion.

I'm awaiting an ultrasound apt to check for cyst(s). Endo had passed my mind but like you because I'm not in agony had kindof ruled it out. Only shows up on a laperoscopy. (sp?)