Sorry if this is long.
Just some background:
I’m currently 25. No babies, no pregnancies and no other gynaecological problems (or any health problems for that matter). I’m a healthy weight, BMI is 18.8 roughly. I started my periods when I was 12. For the most part they were always unproblematic. I did have usual uterine cramping the day my period started and sometimes the next day too but for the most part I was able to manage it. Occasionally I would have to take paracetamol. My periods usually last 4/5 days and I have never thought of them as being overly heavy. My cycle (which I have been keeping track of since 2013!) has usually always been 32-35 days which I know is longer for most people but has always been my normal. In between my periods was also unproblematic. My periods never interfered with my sex life or caused any problems. For most of my life, this was the case. I went to uni, studied midwifery and always managed fine even when working long shifts etc. As far as I’m aware there have been no gynaecological problems in my family nor have there been any fertility issues. I also don’t feel I have very strong mood swings or anything like that. Nor have I ever taken contraception (just always used condoms). My reason for this is because I have never been in a long term relationship so I don’t want to take it if I don’t absolutely need to (ie I’m having regular sex). I also don’t want to keep starting and stopping every time I start dating a new guy so I’d prefer to wait and start taking when I need it. Currently I definitely do not need it haha.
Another thing to note is that for most of my teenage years up until now I have always been sure I was able to feel when I was ovulating. I would feel an uncomfortable feeling at around my time of ovulation (I knew this because I tracked it) and I would only ever feel this on my left side, really low down, around where the ovary/fallopian tube would be. The only way I could describe the feeling is an intense pressure, like there is a bubble that will burst if I lay, moved or stretched a certain way. It can also be tender to touch and feels as though if I press to hard I will burst ‘it’ (not even really sure what it is). I’m not sure if that sounds totally crazy but it’s not just a cramping pain, it’s completely different. But this has happened most of my life since my period started and always just assumed it was ovulation pain
So over the last year I have been continuing to keep track of my period like normal. I started noticing that at around 10 days before my period began, I would start the get really painful left sided cramping several times a day for around 20 minutes a time. So for the 10 days before my period I would have daily left sided (only left sided) cramping every single day for 20 minutes each time. It feels completely different to general period cramps (that I would have on the day of my period). Over time this cramping has gotten worse and even wakes me in the night. That had never happened with my ‘usual cramping’, it was never bad enough to wake me in the night. When it does wake me it is so painful on the left side and feels as though someone is sticking a knife right into that particular area. I literally roll around my bed until it eases of. It will last around 20 minutes each time. I don’t usually take pain relief as by the time that kicks it, the cramping will be easing off. I also swear that peeing, bowel movements, coughing, sneezing, excessive bending etc will trigger this cramping. In midwifery we sometimes refer to pregnant women as having an ‘irritable’ uterus. Basically meaning their uterus is contracting and they feel it as a painful contraction however they are absolutely not in labour (different to Brixton hicks). This is the only way I can explain what I feel. It’s as tough certain things I do will irritate my uterus (I’m not even sure if that is possible in an un pregnant uterus). I’m also sure that if I had sex during this time that afterwards the cramping would be triggered because my uterus will be ‘irritated’. I know it sounds crazy but I feel like I know my body very well and I pay close attention to how I feel and when. If I wake up at 5am needing to pee (and it’s within the 10 days before my period) I know that once I return I will have to deal with the horrible cramping and every time that is the case.
In the end, every time my period comes I get my usual cramping the day of, which I usually feel centrally (so not left sided) and it feels completely different. It’s much more bearable. My period will last 4/5 days (not too heavy) and be gone again.
For the last three months I have also noticed that I have been getting really bad left sided back pain every time I have the cramps (this had never happened before). The back pain is directly behind where I feel it on the front but it feels so deep in my back. My instinct is to press really hard on it to try and get some relief. Also this month the cramping has started 14 days before my period is due (currently on 11 days till my period) I feel like last months has just gone and I’m already having symptoms of this months :(. My worry is that IF this is endometriosis, that it could be getting worse. However I have no idea if my symptoms sound at all like endo. I don’t have anyone that I know who has the condition and of the people that I do explain my symptoms to, I’m pretty sure they think I am crazy.
Does it sound at all like endo? Obviously I know it has to be diagnosed by a medical professional but I’m just looking to see if anyone has ever had similar symptoms. I know it could also be cysts, fibroids etc.
Thanks for reading and congratulations if you made it to the end 🥳
Endometriosis symptoms 
Endo pain triggered by ovulation? 
Endometriosis or just adhesions?
So confused over symptoms 
