What would cause this pain at this point in my cycle?

[PeriMeri]

I’m late 40s, doubtless in perimenopause. Previously I could tell when I was ovulating (and on which side) as I’d get really intense pain for a few hours.

This isn’t happening very much now, but for the whole week after ovulation I’m getting horrible pelvic and rectal pain. Not quite bad enough to stop activities but enough to get me down/change plans. Then it eases off a few days ahead of my period.

My bowel habits have changed and I’m more constipated. I’d also been getting some upper left abdominal pain too, the GP thought maybe kidney stones but a ct scan came back clear. I’m up to date with my smear tests. GP gave me a pelvic exam. A blood test showed anaemia which is being treated. I have also been diagnosed with a mild rectocele.

The GP said she doesn’t know what’s causing it, doesn’t seem concerned and suggests exercise and fibre (which I follow), but I wonder if anyone has any ideas about what might cause the pain as it’s really getting me down. Also given that the GP didnt know what’s causing it, I’d love some ideas for what to ask for, as I want to follow this up/see if I can make things better

Constipation is really common in peri/menopause. Iron tablets can also contribute though.
Eating 2 kiwi fruit a day has been scientifically proven to prevent constipation, but you have to eat the skins as well. It takes a couple of weeks to get your body used to it to become really regular. I have to cut the knobby ends off though.
Also 5 dates a day along with 15-20g of chia seeds, in yogurt or something, also helps.
I also suffer abdo pain upper left. It does seem linked to bowels/BMs though, but the occasional stabbing rectal pain is just random, although I saw a dr on a video saying this can be hormonal and depends on your cycle. Not sure what that means for me as my pelvic pain is no more following a hysterectomy.

Luckily I've had full hysterectomy but I get those pains when constipated I'm quite regular, literally go every day sometimes twice but one day I was doubled over and couldn't walk went UC and doc was shocked I was completely backed up to the max 😳 I take fibrogel but also orlistat for water retention aswell now and touch wood I've not had these pains for ages

Thanks both. I can’t work out the cyclical element, what is it about week 3? The pain is gnawing and consistent not just intermittent. But mainly during that week…

Have you had a scan check for any cysts or endometriosis just in case xx

Thanks @Mumandgrandma85 , I had a CT scan when they thought it might be kidney stones and the feedback was things looked ‘unremarkable’, which I take to mean good 😅. I’m guessing cysts etc would have been picked up by this/the GP’s internal?

I dont know, after ovulation i feel like i have given birth lol sore and uncomfortable and like my spines been dislocated.. the joys of being women 😂 definitely hormonal if happens at the same time every month

Just bumping this in case anyone has any experience/ideas. Have just reached the third week of my cycle and the discomfort has kicked in again. So fed up of the pain/it stopping me doing normal things…

I really feel your pain i had hysterectomy at 30 and that is when they found my endometriosis as it wasn't visible on any scans some days I couldn't get out of bed for pain it's been 9 years now but I can still remember those pains I hope you get some help xx