Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRetrograde MenstruationBleeding PatternsRelated SymptomsTreatmentDaily Coping TipsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Retrograde Menstruation
Bleeding Patterns
Related Symptoms
Treatment
Daily Coping Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Endometriosisis a chronic condition affecting up to 11% of people who menstruate. About 6.5 million people in the United States have endometriosis.
Each month, the lining of the uterus sheds during your period. When endometrial cells grow on other organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, etc.), they form lesions that swell, which can lead to severe pain, bleeding, and scarring.
This article discusses the types of bleeding associated with endometriosis and how to treat it.
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The Theory of Retrograde Menstruation
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown. One possible factor isretrograde menstruation.This occurs when the blood and tissues in your period flow back up the fallopian tube instead of being shed through the vagina. Blood and tissue from the uterus flow into the pelvic area. When this happens, endometrial tissue can attach to other organs, leading to endometriosis.
Retrograde menstruation is relatively common.Many people who experience it do not have endometriosis. Other factors that may raise the risk of endometriosis include a suppressed immune system and a history of abdominal surgery.
Endometriosis Bleeding Patterns
Endometriosis is known to cause heavy orirregular bleedingduring your menstrual cycle and throughout the month.
Flow Consistency
People with endometriosis may notice that their period feels heavy, and the flow is consistently fast.
Quantity
It is common for people with endometriosis to shedmore bloodeach month than the average period. The excessive amount of blood is from tissue shed from the uterus.
Timing and Length
Because people with endometriosis have more to shed each month, their periods tend to last longer than average. An average period length is about five to seven days. People with endometriosis often experience periods that last longer than seven days.
Internal Bleeding and Scar Tissue
Endometriosis growth can lead to scar tissue formation and internal bleeding. The bleeding is not typically life-threatening, but it can lead to problems including pain, scar tissue, and inflammation.
In rare cases, endometrial tissue may grow into the intestines or urinary tract, causing blockages.When endometrial cells swell and bleed each month, scar tissue can form (adhesions), which can attach to organs and may cause them to stick together.
After Sex
It is possible to experiencebleeding after sexwhen you have endometriosis. You may also experience pelvic pain after sex.
What Does Endometriosis Feel Like?
Spotting Between Periods
People with endometriosis may also bleed at other times of the month.It is possible to noticespottingor light bleeding in between periods. Talk with your healthcare provider immediately if you experience heavy bleeding between periods.
Absent Periods
In addition to heavy periods, it’s possible to experience irregular or absent periods (amenorrhea). You may notice your menstrual cycles becoming longer or shorter, making it hard to predict when you will get your period. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help regulate your cycle.
Rectal Bleeding
Although rare, some people with endometriosis experience rectal bleeding.Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice pain when going to the bathroom or drops of blood in the toilet or on toilet paper after abowel movement.
Related Endometriosis Symptoms
What Is Adenomyosis?Adenomyosisis another chronic condition that affects the uterine lining and is often confused with endometriosis. In endometriosis, cells from the uterine lining grow in other areas of the body. In adenomyosis, cells from the uterus lining grow into the uterus’s muscular wall.
What Is Adenomyosis?
Adenomyosisis another chronic condition that affects the uterine lining and is often confused with endometriosis. In endometriosis, cells from the uterine lining grow in other areas of the body. In adenomyosis, cells from the uterus lining grow into the uterus’s muscular wall.
Adenomyosis vs. Endometriosis
Ways to Regulate Endometriosis Bleeding
There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are treatment options that can significantly reduce the symptoms and risk of complications.
Natural Remedies
You may prefer to trynatural remediesbefore beginning prescription medications or other medical treatments. Natural remedies that may improve endometriosis symptoms include:
Birth Control
Hormonal birth control is a standard treatment for those with endometriosis because it decreases the hormonal stimulation that can make endometriosis grow.Birth control pillscan be taken for years and can significantly relieve most symptoms. They do not repair any damage that has already occurred but can stop endometriosis from worsening.
Other forms of birth control, including progesterone pills, injections, andintrauterine devices (IUDs), can also treat endometriosis.
Hormonal birth control pills are not for everyone, and it’s important to discuss thepossible riskswith your healthcare provider.
Other Hormone TherapiesGonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) medications stop the ovaries from producing estrogen, which puts the body into a temporary state of menopause. This helps control the growth of endometrial tissue and improves pain and abnormal bleeding.
Other Hormone Therapies
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) medications stop the ovaries from producing estrogen, which puts the body into a temporary state of menopause. This helps control the growth of endometrial tissue and improves pain and abnormal bleeding.
Surgery
Your healthcare provider may recommend surgery when other therapies cannot improve severe endometriosis symptoms. The surgeries used to address endometrial pain and bleeding include:
Daily Tips for Managing Bleeding Pains
For many, endometriosis causes daily symptoms that affect your quality of life. Fortunately, there are daily practices that you can implement to start feeling better. To manage endometriosis, try:
Summary
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that causes cells from the uterus lining to grow in other areas of the body, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. In addition to severe pain, endometriosis can cause heavy or abnormal bleeding. It is possible to experience bleeding between periods, after sex, or with bowel movements. Your periods may become heavier too. Treatment includes natural remedies, hormonal therapies, and surgery.
A Word From Verywell
Being diagnosed with endometriosis is an overwhelming experience. You may be feeling frustrated that this is happening to you. It might be helpful to remember that endometriosis is treatable. Many people find relief with hormonal birth control and over-the-counter pain medications. Talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and how best to address them.
Bleeding from bowel endometriosis is rare. Common endometriosis symptoms include pelvic pain, cramping, and heavy or irregular periods.
People with endometriosis may experience irregular periods. You may notice that your menstrual cycle becomes either shorter or longer each month. It’s also possible to experience spotting or bleeding between periods.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.Sourial S, Tempest N, Hapangama DK.Theories on the pathogenesis of endometriosis.Int J Reprod Med. 2014;2014:179515. doi:10.1155/2014/179515Hapangama DK, Bulmer JN.Pathophysiology of heavy menstrual bleeding.Womens Health (Lond). 2016;12(1):3-13. doi:10.2217/whe.15.81Abid M, Hashmi AA, Malik B, et al.Clinical pattern and spectrum of endometrial pathologies in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding in Pakistan: need to adopt a more conservative approach to treatment.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:132. doi:10.1186/s12905-014-0132-7National Women’s Health Network.How does endometriosis affect my menstrual cycle?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heavy menstrual bleeding.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometriosis.Wolthuis AM, Meuleman C, Tomassetti C, D’Hooghe T, de Buck van Overstraeten A, D’Hoore A.Bowel endometriosis: colorectal surgeon’s perspective in a multidisciplinary surgical team.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(42):15616-15623. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i42.15616Hemmert R, Schliep KC, Willis S, et al.Modifiable life style factors and risk for incident endometriosis.Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2019;33(1):19-25. doi:10.1111/ppe.12516Office on Women’s Health.Birth control methods.Kalaitzopoulos DR, Samartzis N, Kolovos GN, et al.Treatment of endometriosis: a review with comparison of 8 guidelines.BMC Womens Health. 2021;21(1):397. doi:10.1186/s12905-021-01545-5
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.Sourial S, Tempest N, Hapangama DK.Theories on the pathogenesis of endometriosis.Int J Reprod Med. 2014;2014:179515. doi:10.1155/2014/179515Hapangama DK, Bulmer JN.Pathophysiology of heavy menstrual bleeding.Womens Health (Lond). 2016;12(1):3-13. doi:10.2217/whe.15.81Abid M, Hashmi AA, Malik B, et al.Clinical pattern and spectrum of endometrial pathologies in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding in Pakistan: need to adopt a more conservative approach to treatment.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:132. doi:10.1186/s12905-014-0132-7National Women’s Health Network.How does endometriosis affect my menstrual cycle?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heavy menstrual bleeding.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometriosis.Wolthuis AM, Meuleman C, Tomassetti C, D’Hooghe T, de Buck van Overstraeten A, D’Hoore A.Bowel endometriosis: colorectal surgeon’s perspective in a multidisciplinary surgical team.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(42):15616-15623. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i42.15616Hemmert R, Schliep KC, Willis S, et al.Modifiable life style factors and risk for incident endometriosis.Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2019;33(1):19-25. doi:10.1111/ppe.12516Office on Women’s Health.Birth control methods.Kalaitzopoulos DR, Samartzis N, Kolovos GN, et al.Treatment of endometriosis: a review with comparison of 8 guidelines.BMC Womens Health. 2021;21(1):397. doi:10.1186/s12905-021-01545-5
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Kalaitzopoulos DR, Samartzis N, Kolovos GN, et al.Treatment of endometriosis: a review with comparison of 8 guidelines.BMC Womens Health. 2021;21(1):397. doi:10.1186/s12905-021-01545-5
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