Hi Cimborn

It sounds to me like it could be endometriosis. I experienced the same symptoms and pain you are experiencing, I especially felt my pain in my lower left pelvic area (around the area of my left ovary). I had intense period pain and cramping and this pain would continue throughout my entire cycle. Other symptoms I experienced was pain with bowel movements, pain with intercourse, painful urination and a feeling like I have a full bladder most of the time, lower back pain and tiredness/fatigue even after just an hour of getting up in the mornings.

I went from doctor to doctor and when I was finally sent to my current (and wonderful gynae) after nearly a year of tests (it fellt like I had every test and scan on earth but nothing showed up, except for a 4.6cm hemorrhagic ovarian cyst (left side) but the cyst eventually ruptured, however the pain continued.

It took almost a year before finally finding a gynaecologist who listened to me (and believe me that the pain was not just in my head!!) and was willing to do a laparoscopy and in 2007, I was diagnosed with endo.

The only way to diagnose endometriosis at this stage is to have a laparoscopy as no ultrasound (pelvic or abdominal), CT-scan, MRI or any other tests are able to diagnose endometriosis.

I continued to have problems with my bowels after my surgery for the endometriosis and after having some tests run by my doctor, I was diagnosed with IBS in December 2007.

I would say you're moving in the right direction by seeing the gynae on Monday. I hope that you find answers to your questions soon and that if you do have endo, that your gynae will be able to treat it for you during surgery and that you'll feel like your normal self again soon! I know all too well how horrible the pain that comes with having endo feels - my periods have been becoming unbearable again the past few months, so I am wondering whether it could be that my endo has come back, but thankfully I've got a preconception checkup with my gynae in 2 weeks and will be asking him about it then.

Take care and good luck Monday and let us know how you go at your appointment.

PS: Yes, my gynae also asked me about pain during intercourse and even asked which positions I did that hurt the most etc... I'll tell you what a good friend of mine told me when I got embarrassed about my visits to my gynae. She said just remember that although it might be akward, that it's part of their job and that by telling them everything and by being honest with them is what helps them help you get better.