pain when having a bowel movement whilst menstruating

I am 16 and I have a slightly different, but still similar problem. I have the same terrible anus pain in the first days of my period, but I don't have it when I do a bowel movement, I have it when I wake up... so due to this I can't get out of bed because then it hurts even more and I can't move at all either. This can last for several (4-7) hours for me. So I can't go to school, or elsewhere even if it is to be a very important day. I don't know if it makes any difference, but I always have my period when it's full moon. I went to the doctor (in Hungary) with this and they first thought that I have endometriosis, but then when they checked me more throughly, they were telling me that my right ovary is twisted behind my hip bone and that my fallopian tube is the one that's actually hurting at menstruation because it has to work extra hard, but I feel it in my anus as it is so close to it. I can help my problem by emptying my bladder before I go to bed, sleeping on my stomach, so that my bottom is not at all in a bowel shape, or I drink this tea that is supposed to be good for all women. It's made out of this natural herb called Milfoil. You just have to boil water, put a teaspoon of this chopped herb into a tea infuser, leave it there for a couple of minutes... then if you want you can add sugar. It tastes very nice and helps a lot. I usually drink it before I go to bed, so that it works over night and it's definately better than nothing. I just thought I could tell you what I have... and some ways that I can treat it with. I can highly recommend the tea for all women! It is very good for all menstrual problems! All the best! Leda.

wow, I googled this because I thought there was something wrong with me! Now I see that there ARE other women going threw the same thing. As well as others I have had such a horrible pain while using the bathroom while on my period that it is almost to the point where im about to faint from the pain. Its insane! Unbearable!! Its always the 1st and 2nd day of my period and I have to use the bathroom at least 3 times within 3 hours, and it hurts EVERY time! I still don't know what is causing this but Im glad to know now that im not the only one. Thanks ladies.

I am so glad I am not the only one. I am on the pill, and it does NOTHING to stop the pain, some people, doctors included try to tell people that the pill will prevent period pain and lessen the blood loss. ok, still very heavy flow and still agonising pain! The pain in the rectum gets so bad I avoid going to the toilet until I know I don't have to actually push, and still, its the worst pain I've experienced. Today at work, for the first time, I almost fainted because of the pain. I hate that there's nothing we can do about it. You just have to let it pass, I can't believe how painful it is. Glad Im not the only one though.

I have the same problem all of you other ladies have, and I finally found a gynecologist that actually took the time to diagnose me properly. I have had these problems since my very first period at the age of 12 and it has gradually gotten worse with each year. I am 22, married with no children yet. Since I was 12 i have had a family doctor put me on all kinds of birth control, which I found out I am allergic to, and a gynecologist that just pushed pain meds on me. I have had a copper iud for a year, and thought that was what made my periods so much worse in the last year. A few months ago I moved across country with my husband, and in the process of settling in I had my yearly pap done, which I get every year religiously. I started explaining these symptoms to her. She knew right away what was wrong with me. She said I have endometriosis and very mild polycystic ovary syndrome, which explains the allergy to birth control and soy. She explained to me that the pcos caused neuropathy in my uterus, and endometriosis can and does grow its own set of nerve endings. When the tissue inflames before your period, the nerves get squeezed which causes the unbearable pain. She gave me gabapentin for the nerve pain and told me to avoid anything that contains soy or soy byproducts, including soybean oil, etc. That means I have to read labels. My first period with the new changes was awful, I hadn't had enough time to adjust yet. But my second period was at least 80% better. I did have cramps, but it was nothing a little ibuprofen couldn't handle. More good news is because I ovulate every month like clockwork, I will have no trouble having children The trick is, avoid anything with soy, as soy has estrogenic isoflavones which contribute greatly to all of these problems. You don't see it because its hidden in everything we eat.  ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** You will find a diet that will greatly help with all of these problems, if not eliminate them all together. Its not really a diet, but a life change. I started it, and within a month I have seen drastic improvements. Its called The Hallelujah Diet. Read everything on the website. The information is amazing. I hope my story helps all of you women out there who are going through the same thing I went through. Good luck and God Bless :)

Hi there- 

I was on EVERY kind of birth control from ages 13- 20. Including the vaginal ring, and all the pill combos. I switched around because BC produced a constant struggle with depression for me. I never found a method that helped with that...until I stopped BC completely. I am now 24 and have immediately after clearing my system of BC, the depression was significantly reduced. However, in the last year or so, I had these incredible bowel pains (shooting, stiffling screams bad) - just as you all have. However, I tried to keep a journal and see if it could be related to stress, diet, or if sex was too rough. It didnt. The pain increased, and then became a gamble of which periods it would show up- sometimes, I would get a cycle without the bowel pain- however, i must mention that I have ALWAYS had severe cramps, body ache and depression, total exhaustion since my first cycle at 13, so I was always researching just how bad pain can be when it passes "normal" for most women.
migraines have always been a problem- but i have been Caffiene and Low-starch (my triggers) since i figured that out. 
So i went to my gyno. I said "look, i have a good friend with Endometriosis who is telling me I really need to consult with you about it.  My periods have become debilitating and it takes a whole week out of my life, if not more- sex is SO painful b4 and after periods, etc." 
I think it was a profesional pride thing that this Gyno thought - OH the audacity of me, to come in with a suggestion of diagnosis for myself. So she gave me this quiz about my BLADDER health....and i asked, Why are  you giving me this quiz? I have not mentioned bladder problems. I have no painful urination or frequency. The results (which I provided I sometimes - rarely- needed to get up from sleeping to urinate at night, RARELY)- she concluded I did not have Endo, but had IC/PBS http://www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis_ez/.

Turns out she had just had one of her staff members trained specifically in the treatment of this, and was DISGUSTINGLY recruiting her patients with GUSTO to this woman, and I endured a humiliating and totally unnecessary test involving a flush of medicine by way of CATHETAR to "test" if i had this condition. After the test the woman said "oh you must have it, because you felt any discomfort at all with the cathetar". ARE YOU KIDDING ME? you cant send off for results? theres no REAL lab test? and you honestly think i have a CONDITION because i was UNCOMFORTABLE with a cathetarr????- 
I was instructed that my "bladder problems" (i kept insisting, I HAVE NO BLADDER PAIN- its only when I have a bowel movement on period!)
- was instructed to not eat MANY things (tomatoes, avacados, chocolate, etc- things i ate plently of, and stillllll do!) and to come in frequently as needed for this cathetar treatment for a condition that is impossible to definately diagnose but conveniently makes alot of money for their clinic. 
Desipcable. Horrible experience. 
Needless to say, I feel violated and undiagnosed. The problems have subsided to a much more manageablel level,  so I did not pursue it any further. I think this is due to my upping excersize, reducing stress and avoiding soy and hormone added dairy products.

Please dont let this happen to you.- get sucked into a medical whirlpool of hypochondria to feed the money machine. 

I am relieved what I saw as symptoms or Endo have lessened (and without any treatment, just my lifestyle adjustments)- I do however live in fear that they will return.

I have been suffering these same symptoms for over a year I am amazed that others are also having such strange symptoms it just seems so obscure yet you all are describing my experience. I am 42 years old and have 7 children and that part of me has given me no trouble at all except the first bowel movement after giving birth, but now it has started happening on the first bowel movement after starting menstruation and also a bit if I am slightly constipated. I do think it is a combination of swelling from menstruation coupled with a sluggish or sensitive bowel. I think the answer must lie in a good healthy colon diet, plenty of vitamins and minerals because I have only had problems with my body after I went through an extremely stressful time that would have depleted everything my body needs. One thing that does help is raspberry leaf extract normally taken in the third trimester of pregnancy but it is supposed to tone the uterus so I tried it and there was a noticeable improvement. Leave no stone unturned ladies.

I cant believe there are other people out there experiencing the same problem! I have this intense pain in my lower abdomen during my period which radiates into my rectum. I recently miscarried and am once again having the same issue. Scary because its so easy to think the worst about these sort of things. A bit relieved to know Im not alone!

Hello, Im someone experiencing very simular smptoms as you AND i am a Registered Nurse.Im just messaging you because I wanted to urge you to see your doctor. I know that you may be embarassed for him to look at you but in REALITY he probably will NOT even have to look at you. There is no need unless he suspects hemroids but even at that point he will not look at you if you refuse. No doctor can do anything to you without your permission. He will not look at you naked, he will probabbly send u to a specialist to exam your insides if he susspects anything. ALOT of people do not go see thier doctors becausethey are afraid or embarssed but the truth of teh mater is , is youtell him your symptoms and he makes a diagnosis. Because the problme may be much more serious or it could be a small problem which can be fixed which could save you from having a big problem later on in life or near future. I hope this helps you AND worst case scenario if your scared tralk to the nurse in the office, ask to speak with her, she may do the examination if you are more comfortable with a woman looking at you and she will report back to the doctor. If you gosee the doctor and he suggests examining you ask him if teh nurse CAN be present or if teh nurse can look at you. YOU have teh right for a nurse to be present and a lot of male doctors will do that with female patienst beccause they afraid of being sued. I hope this helps:) you can email me if you need more support

guys i have the same problem first it happened during my period but now it sometimes happens other days of the month too. The only way i pass the pain is by bending backwards when i feel it coming just lift up your ribcage and bend back as much as you can while standing up and for me it makes the pain much more bearable or doesnt feel painful at all sometimes. Try it.

I am 40 years old and I have 4 kids - my youngest is 2.  I have been suffering terribly, like many of you ladies.  During my current cycle - I have almost passed out 4 or 5 times during BM.  I just got a paraguard IUD and am wondering if that is adding to symptoms making things worse.  In the past I would have one or two days that were terrible and then it would settle down.  Since IUD my cycle is on day 7 (still going strong) and my pain with BM is daily.  It's awful.  I can't imagine living with this for years and years.  I have done a lot of research over the past few days and came up with some really interesting information.  Estrogen levels are a HUGE factor in Endo. (the pill adds to estrogen levels - so it's not helping).  In our current society we are bombarded with Estrogen and therefore more and more women are suffering from things like endo.  Estrogen Dominance is a great book (can download ebook from amazon) I read it in one day - there is so much information about where the estrogen is coming from and how to correct your system.   ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed***

It is ridiculous to think we need to live with this - we don't.  Take the steps to cure yourself - don't wait for the medical establishment to do it for you - there is so much we can do for ourselves.  You are in control of your own health. Best of luck ladies. 

Hi I'm very worried about the pain I have during my menstral cycle like 1-10 it's an 11 and making a bowel movement is the worst and it's the worst pain I've ever experienced, I'm not sure If I have endometriosis or if it's something else. I've been on many different kinds of birth control and most of them I feel terrible taking, also ive had a miscarriage when I was 17 and I wonder if it's anything to do with that and to why I haven't gotten pregnant since then after not being on birth control for almost a year after...if anyone has any advice or anything I'd love to hear from you!

I don't think that it has anything to do with pregnancy/miscarriage. I've not been pregnant nor have I had any miscarriages.

I've had the terrible (like you said, an '11' on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is the worst) lower back/bowel pain during menstruation nearly since the beginning of my menstruation at the age of 13.

Also, I've never been on birth control.

Hi Ladies,

Like so many of you, I am so relieved that I am not in this boat all by myself. Misery does like company. I am 44 years old, and over the past couple of years my period -or rather- the pain that comes with it gets worse and worse each month. At my last OBGYN appointment I asked my doctor if "God was saving the best for last", and she just laughed.

Some months the veins in my legs hurt so much I cannot move (the hamstrings --- left or right, doesnt matter). For years, my bowels seem to really empty when I have my period -- like 5 BMs per day! They used to be painless ... but recently (especially today) they are so incredibly painfull! I thought I would faint. And yes, it was right up there with the pain of childbirth. The only good thing is it takes much less time to have a BM than to push a baby through your birth canal ... and at least stool is soft with no bones. Ha! Oh. And gas feels like it is riping through your body with splinters of glass.

I think it was last summer (about 6 months ago) that I noticed I had a hemorrhoid that was really pronounced when I had my period. And it calms down during the rest of the month. I assumed the pain when having a BM during my period was just from this hemorrhoid. But the pain today was so bad, I finally had to Google it, and was so amazed to find this blog!!! 

Its a bit like information-overload. But at the same time, comforting to know that I am not crazy ... and other women experience the same thing. (Though I am sorry that you are also going through this).

Could it be endometriosis?

Could it be this PCS? (think vein problems in the legs!)

Could it be my toxified liver? (from sugar, coffee, alcohol - though always in moderation).

Could it be poor diet or the fact that I am 20 lbs over weight? (am trying to fix that).

Could it be hormones? (this first started after childbirth.) Oh yeah, I have 2 kids, they are 9 and 6.

Could it be from the phytoestrogens in soy products? (I developed a milk protein allergy after pregnancy, so I started soy THEN had these symptoms).

Could it be my tilted uterus? (seems to be a comon factor).

Oh yeah, and like most of you, the pain is only during day 1 or day 2 of your period.

I never ever used tampons. And it just HURST down there. I cannot imagine inserting anything inside of me during these heavy heavy cycles.

My sisters had endomitriosis. My mom and another sister had to have hysterectomies. (must ask again "why"?)

I also have keloid really really bad. (Scar tissue build up -- especially after incisions!) My knee had to be operated on twice, once after the ski accident, once to remove all the scar tissue that built up while my body attacked the pin they put in my leg. So any kind of surgery worries me.

I never had menstral pain or symptoms before pregnancy -- but I never had my period either! I was on BC pills that you took every day ... so no menstration cycle. Since having kids, I havent been on BC pills ... because I developed migraines. 

What sucks is this "self diagnosis".

We are all in the same boat, and no one seemed to have brought a paddle.  

And are some of you like me? You "forget" about the pain. Each month I am surprised! I can be immobilized for hours or days. But presto, as soon as its gone, I forget about it, until it happens again! (Maybe the human brain blocks it out. Like bad childhood memories!) Ha.  

So, if I dont forget by Monday, I will call my doctor and see what she thinks now. I, too, will come armed with a printout of this blog! She will have to believe me.

I do have an appointment (in 4 months) at a vein specialist. (Was a 6 mnth waiting list). Maybe they will find something.

I also happen to be going to see my homeopath/accupuncturist next week! Maybe she has a wonderful cure (Chinese teas) that will help.

Oh. And I will seriously start detoxing. The book I am reading now, "Eating Alive - part II" also recommends getting your liver in good working order. If giving up coffee and sugar means no more PAIN like today, then its worth it!

Good luck to everyone out there. I hope we ALL get cured. Let's keep in touch.

xoxoxo 

I have severe cramp pain that starts from my chest and ends at mid thigh. I also have excrutiating pain in my rectum during a bowel movement. I'm so glad I've found other women with the same problems. I'm not sure what's wrong with me but after tonight I'm gonna call my gyno and set up an appointment asap.