Is this Endo?

[TeaMuncher]

My periods have always been painful, and always affected my bowels more than anything (diarrhoea, cramps, etc). After DC1 I had a few really savage periods (which felt like contractions), but they gradually eased off and went back to 'normal' and just about manageable.

I am now 18 months PP with DC2 and my periods are getting progressively worse. The first day is excruciating, when I wake up I have to run to the loo and sit in agony, retching and cramping (shooting pains) until I have a BM. The rest of the time is spent with aches and cramps, until the next BM (or any wind) which again is complete agony. This month, I've had the same, but the worst pain yet, and even after the bleeding stopped 2 days ago, I've still been having terrible bowel pain and bouts of diarrhoea last night and this afternoon too.

If this is hormonal, why are things getting worse and not better?! It's so unpredictable (not to mention embarrassing) when it hits. I can't look after my kids, I just have to lock myself in the loo. It's AWFUL!

Any help appreciated! I don't know much about endo, but a doc mentioned it when I had an US scan recently. He couldn't see anything, but said it was possible (would need further investigation). The GP just brushed it off saying "there's no cure anyway" so basically just 'get on with it'. But I'm struggling to cope every month

This does sound like endo OP your symptoms are so similar to my own. I have had horrendous cramps and periods for years, crawling the floor in pain, my gp saying lets see how it develops offering a coil etc.
I had an endometrial ablation 20 months ago and that eleveated some pain for about a year. But then it was back in force. I am currently 6days post hysterectomy with bilateral surgery to remove everything after seeing the most amazing gynaecological specialist who believed my pain was real and referred me for an mri Which showed massive pelvic masses surrounding my right ovary and bowel. With smaller growths on my uterus and tubes

I was so relieved to finally have someone who didnt dismiss me!
Its so sad that we have to keep fighting and fighting for someone to hear us.

But OP please do x

Sorry I missed your responses @Dippysnowoman @squirrelnutkins1 @littlerocketman @honeysucklejasmine ! And thanks so much.

I think I'll go back to my GP this week and ask for the referral. I'm having a miserable time on the pill ALREADY and it's only been 10 days. It really affects my mood and I have such a short fuse, it's rubbish. But the thought of having another excruciating period is just too much to bear. I'm hoping the pill side effects will wear off over time.

PS. I have had an internal exam and a US but the radiologist couldn't 'see' anything. But he did say it probably wouldn't show on US and it's worth asking for a referral.

Yeah it can only be properly diagnosed laparoscopically x

It is awful that so many women are suffering for years without help. My sister’s endometriosis was only detected last year, she’s 43. She went in for surgery to remove an ovarian tumour (very scary time), turned out to be endo! She had complained about pain, discomfort and bowel issues for years but no gp took her seriously. I’m now wondering if I have it too as I too have had years of period problems and ‘IBS’!? I’ve asked my gp if it runs in families but he said no!

Soooo annoying!! Gp's very often pull the IBS card. I got given that spiel too when it was endo. I wonder if it's because it's not possible to diagnose unless you have a lap. Is it purely that they don't want to go down that route if it ends up not being endo?? Who knows but it's not right. I'm sure it does run in families! I know one family who've had at least 3 generations of problems in that area. But equally it has to start somewhere so in my family it's me! 🙄