Question for those with (and without) bowel endometriosis
I have PCOS (which is very well-maintained at this point) and lately have been feeling pain with insertion on my period deep in my pelvis. I've also been dealing with awful bouts of constipation leading up to my period. I thought this could be my cysts acting up, and mentioned it to my gyno. She thought it could be endometriosis also and ordered an ultrasound. Ultrasound all clear, but it noted my uterus is retroverted, which could be a sign of endometriosis from my reading. I've started thinking that another thing I've been experiencing lately could be a symptom of bowel endometriosis, but it could also just be a normal experience, so I'm wondering if people with and without bowel endometriosis experience this. With insertion, I get a very full feeling in my rectum, like a strong feeling of pressure. Is this typical? Or a symptom of bowel endometriosis? I can't find any information about this symptom online. Thank you!
Hello to you and it is nice to meet you! I have worked as a pelvic floor physical therapist for people with and without known endometriosis. Constipation before a menstrual period is exceedingly common (although very uncomfortable and worrisome). The reason behind this is that the hormonal surge of estrogen that leads up to the menstrual cycle flares up bloating, pelvic congestion and often results in constipation. For this type of constipation, the cause may very well be driven by tension in your pelvic floor muscles. That full feeling in your rectum is very common in people with pelvic floor tension and when I perform a vaginal examination, I can often feel stool trapped in the lower rectum through the posterior vaginal wall.
Pain with vaginal insertion when a woman is constipated also can be a sign of pelvic floor tension. I am glad your PCOS is under control. Have you ever thought about seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist to assess the muscles of your perineum? The link between your constipation worsening right before your period makes me wonder if this is driven by muscular imbalance of your pelvic floor. Let me know if this makes sense!I have rectal endometriosis and I get a full feeling in the pelvis and rectal area as well as constipation and bloating (also known as endo belly). It is particularly bad before and during my menses. I also get rectal pain and pain trying to pass stool or urine at times. So in short yes, they can be symptoms of endo. The gold standard for diagnosis often and unfortunately is laparoscopic surgery.
