Painful and frequent urination during period. Advice needed.

[evians1]

I'm probably going to get an appointment with my GP on Monday but I'd be grateful for any advice in the meantime (my anxiety levels aren't great at the moment).

I've been finding it very painful going to the loo, and also urinary urgency and frequency, and a slight pain very occasionally in my left lower abdomen. I went to the GP the first time it happened, back in January, as I thought it must be a UTI. I was given antibiotics which didn't seem to make much difference. The cycle has continued and it has been back every month; starting the first day of my period then up to a few days afterwards.

I've also started to get a little brown vaginal discharge approx a week after my period then it disappears (second month of this).

I have had endometriosis diagnosed and removed a few years ago, and thought it might be connected to that. I'm also approaching menopause I think (early 40s).

It may be that the endometriosis you were previously diagnosed with has returned. Cyclical pain like this should always be investigated further and this is a problem outside a GPs remit. You should be referred.

If you do not already do so I would suggest you keep a daily pain and symptom diary as this will also be helpful re diagnosis.

Thanks for replying, Attila.
Yes, the cyclical nature made me suspect endo, which did improve for a while but didn't entirely go away. I had a tiny patch removed from my bladder at the time of the laparoscopy, but the consultant said they can only remove what they can see and get at (stating obvious).

I've started bleeding now, after spotting for a few days, approx two weeks after my last period (no pain yet, and fairly light, so unsure if it will develop into a proper period). I've no idea what's going on now.

I'm overdue to have a smear test so that's a bit of a worry (I probably shouldn't google search).