Katherine
Sounds to me like you might have endometriosis. The clue was the painful periods and painful bowel movements, etc. That is how I was "diagnosed" but there is no true way to confirm endo, other than a laparoscopic surgery to look and see, and hopefully remove any endo that may be even touching the bowel. Seek out a GOOD gyn who not only says they are an endo specialist, but can give your name to other patients he/she has treated. Also, jump onto an endometriosis board, where you will probably hear MORE than you will at the gyn from other people. OR, you'll hear that your symptoms don't match ;)A good one is "witsendo", search the web for it and how to join. Sincerely, Katherine P.S. You may also have IBS along with endo, but if endo tissue is touching the bowel (frequently in the cul-de-sac area), *that* will irritate your bowel. GOod luck!