I unfortunately have this issue as well, as do many. From what I understand when this type of pain is felt it is often associated with endo implants in the rectovaginal area. The recto-vaginal area is the area in between the vaginal and rectal wall, when a bowel movement is passing through that area it can put pressure on the lesions and cause a lot of pain.

Here is an article by Dr. Redwine explaining this a little better than I can:
http://endopaedia.info/subtype14.html

Sorry you are experiencing this.

Hello HC...My experience has been finger pointing between GYNs and GASTROs, depending upon whom you are with. They each blame the other, basically because they don't know what to do with any of it. We, as the patient, are left to suffer.

IMO there is a tangled web (literally) between the endometriosis and the bowels. I have BEGGED for HELP yet again since last Fall from 8+ specialists across 3 states. I FEAR that disease is consuming my digestive system and perhaps my bladder/kidneys. I, like you, have horrific experiences just trying to have a BM. I, too, SCREAM primal screams of agony that I think can be heard above the National Anthem being played at the ball field down the street! I feel "disemboweled" if and when it's over, with excruciating vaginal and rectal pain.

I UNDERSTAND sweetie...and NO, don't apologize for sharing your bowel experiences. I would suffice to say that GI is paramount problem for all of us who battle this Godforsaken disease. I get so very discouraged after battling for more than half of my life with this. I sometimes think REALLY, God? With everything that is fucked up in my body, can't you just give me an easy poop?

I'm sorry you're hurting. I'm sure you've done the softeners and fiber. If you need some suggestions, let me know=)

~~Pup

Yup - boy can I sympathize. BMs during my period are so painful I can't even put it into words. They hurt all the time but during my period is the absolute worst. My doctor also told me that this is a function of severe disease on my rectum.

Glad to know I'm not alone in this! My gyno is quick to pass it off as "irritable bowel syndrome" which she diagnosed me with without even asking any questions about my bowel issues (within about 1 minute of meeting me). It bothers me that she won't explore the possibility of it being endo.

What do you guys do for it? I suppose I could try a laxative of sorts, but the problem isn't constipation.

Oh hotchocolate,
No offense to her or anyone else, but don't listen to her. IBS is a BS excuse for "I have no idea". Sorry, pet peeve of mine.
From what I understand if your issue is from endo in the rectovaginal area the best way to take care of it is excision of the endo. I have read in several places that endo in this area generally does not respond to hormones or Lupron.

When was the last time you had surgery? I know you have mentioned this before, but unfortunately I can't remember. :/

I had excision surgery 2 years ago. They did say I had endo on/near? the rectum, but I was also told they got it all, although I realize it could have grown back since then.

I could have another surgery. I just don't feel like I'm bad enough yet. I had a flare up from October-December, but have been feeling better since then, aside from the worse bowel issues.

Yeah, I do get annoyed when my dr passes it off as ibs.

I don't have any useful advice, just wanted to say that I'm so sorry you're going through this. You are really not alone here. I have also been told it's IBS, which I too think is code for "we don't know."

Five or six years ago when I was first told it was IBS I did all the recommended things at that time and they didn't help. I just learned, though, that there is a newer dietary regimen recommended for IBS called FODMAPS. Allegedly, there's some science to back this up unlike all the other IBS dietary advice I was given five years ago. I have not tried it myself yet, but am doing some research and considering trying it. What have I got to lose?From what I'm learning it's important to note that many people do not have issues with the fructose and lactose that are included as things to eliminate in that plan and therefore don't need to eliminate those.

Good luck, and much sympathy to you.

I'm sorry to read that you are going through this pain is sucks for sure to say the least!! My r. prescribed me Polyethylene Glycol Powder and it helps to make it easier and you can't taste it when you stir it into your drink or put it in your food.

I feel your pain hotchocolate. OB/GYN's are useless on this issue. I had HORRIFIC bowel movements during pregnancy and he told me to go see a GI. After about a month or two they went away. I'm CONVINCED that it was scar tissue that was tearing apart as my organs adjusted to pregnancy. So my guess (based on your symptoms) is that this is the case.
I have had irritable bowel syndrome like symptoms and those were completely different. I used to be super constipated and then right before my period I'd have massive diarrhea attack that was so painful I sometimes passed out. It definitely felt like it was because things were moving so fast and the enzymes burned. Like really burned. I believe that's the typical endo symptoms associated with your period.

The feeling I had during pregnancy was sharp pain like my intesines were 'ripping apart' and I also had massive poo, like maybe as big as a clementine (yup, round, tmi, I know) or slightly larger.

I say explore it with your GI because they may want to do a scope just to rule out obstructions or cancer. I doubt you have that, but why not just check it out to make sure you're ok?

I don't know how much help I will be, but here's what it is like for me.

When I go it is EXTREMELY painful. It feels like I am being violently stabbed all throughout my abdomen. It makes me jump sometimes it hurts so bad. I also get very terrible rectal spasms (I don't know what they're really called) but it feels like I am being violated with a knife. It is some of the worst pain I have ever felt. Sometimes they last a few minutes, and sometimes a few hours. I know some of the other girls on here experience them too.

Also, 'IBS' is a crock of shit. I feel it is the easiest thing for Doctors to say to get you off their back.

I hope you get to feeling better!

hotchocolate-I just re-read your post, and noticed you said your pain is like a knife going through you. That is EXACTLY what I describe my pain as.

Yep! That's what I'm talking about. I know at once I had hemorrhoids and an anal fissure, so the gi dr likes to blame it on those. But I KNOW when those act up. I get a lot of bleeding. So I know there is a different cause.

I get painful BMs only during my period. I do have an ovary adhered to my bowel, so I don't know if that's causing the problem or not. I also have scar tissue so that could be it too.

I can't believe I'm posting this, but... I bought the Squatty Potty and it seems to have helped me a lot with my period related BM issues. I still get that stabbing pain, but it's not so intense.

The squatty potty? Very interesting!! I had never heard of that before and just looked it up. I am also having this problem with painful bowel movements. This is a recent problem for me and I take three laxatives a day as prescribed by my gastroenterologist, but even with those I feel constipated most of the time and like I always have to use the restroom, even when I can't. I have stabbing pain as well with bowel movements about half of the time. Always get a second opinion though and never settle for a diagnosis that doesn't feel right with you.

That is so awesome! I didnt know there was such a thing but I did buy a little step stool for me to put my feet on in front of the toilet....same idea I guess but this looks even better.