Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEndometriosis & Hip PainTiming of PainPain Relief TipsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Endometriosis & Hip Pain
Timing of Pain
Pain Relief Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
As endometrial lesions (implants) fromendometriosis(endo) grow and bleed, they cause inflammation and pain. The nerves around the implant can get entrapped, inflamed, or irritated. When endo affects nerves in the pelvis (between the hips), it can cause discomfort and hip pain.
This article reviews how endometriosis affects the nerves and causes hip pain, the timing of hip pain throughout the menstrual cycle, and tips for pain relief from endometriosis.
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Endometriosis, Nerves, and Hip Pain
Endometriosis frequently causeschronic pelvic painand increased menstrual cramps. It can also affect the nerves in the pelvis and cause leg or hip pain.
The pelvis contains complex nerves, including the following:
When these nerves become inflamed, damaged, or irritated, they can causeneuropathic pain. This pain can feel sharp or stabbing and radiate (move or spread). Nerve damage or irritation can also causeneuropathy, resulting in numbness or tingling, muscle spasms, and weakness.
Hip pain from endometriosis can start in your back or pelvis and radiate to your hip, buttocks, or legs. You may feel pain, tingling (pins and needles), or numbness.The location of the pain depends on which nerves are affected.
Upregulated Nervous System Function
Upregulation of thenervous systemis when something creates a pain signal that travels up the branch of the nervous system. This means it travels from the nerve to the spine and brain.
Endometriosis lesions entrap, inflame, or irritate the nerves in the pelvis, sending pain signals to the brain. Endo also triggers nerve growth where they do not typically grow.
These factors cause the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, to become hypersensitive.
Cytokines and ProstaglandinsCytokines and prostaglandins are substances that are naturally produced in the body as described below:Cytokinesare part of the immune system that cause inflammation when trying to kill a bacterium or virus.Prostaglandinsare fatty acids that have hormone-like effects. They are responsible for triggering muscles in the uterus to contract during your period. High levels of prostaglandins cause severe cramps.
Cytokines and Prostaglandins
Cytokines and prostaglandins are substances that are naturally produced in the body as described below:Cytokinesare part of the immune system that cause inflammation when trying to kill a bacterium or virus.Prostaglandinsare fatty acids that have hormone-like effects. They are responsible for triggering muscles in the uterus to contract during your period. High levels of prostaglandins cause severe cramps.
Cytokines and prostaglandins are substances that are naturally produced in the body as described below:
Related Gynecologic Causes
Some people with endometriosis never experience pelvic or menstrual cramping. Hip pain may be their first and only symptom. In this case, it’s easy to dismiss it and assume it’s a non-gynecologic cause, such as an injury, arthritis, or bursitis. This is especially true when you have not received anendo diagnosis.
Endometriosis vs. BursitisBursitisis inflammation of the bursae (small sacs that cushion the joints) that causes intense joint pain. It occurs due to overuse, repetitive motion, injury, spine conditions, and bone spurs. The pain often gets worse at night and radiates down the thigh. It is intense or sharp at first but dulls or goes away over time.Endometriosis hip pain may be constant or come and go based on your menstrual cycle. However, it doesn’t usually dull or go away with time.
Endometriosis vs. Bursitis
Bursitisis inflammation of the bursae (small sacs that cushion the joints) that causes intense joint pain. It occurs due to overuse, repetitive motion, injury, spine conditions, and bone spurs. The pain often gets worse at night and radiates down the thigh. It is intense or sharp at first but dulls or goes away over time.Endometriosis hip pain may be constant or come and go based on your menstrual cycle. However, it doesn’t usually dull or go away with time.
Bursitisis inflammation of the bursae (small sacs that cushion the joints) that causes intense joint pain. It occurs due to overuse, repetitive motion, injury, spine conditions, and bone spurs. The pain often gets worse at night and radiates down the thigh. It is intense or sharp at first but dulls or goes away over time.
Endometriosis hip pain may be constant or come and go based on your menstrual cycle. However, it doesn’t usually dull or go away with time.
Several gynecologic conditions, including endometriosis, can cause hip pain. These conditions inflame, entrap, press against, or irritate the nerves, joints, or tissues in the pelvis area. Examples include:
AdenomyosisAdenomyosisis a gynecologic condition similar to endometriosis. However, the misplaced endometrial tissue stays within the uterus as it spreads to the myometrium (uterus muscles).It also causes heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, and hip pain.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosisis a gynecologic condition similar to endometriosis. However, the misplaced endometrial tissue stays within the uterus as it spreads to the myometrium (uterus muscles).It also causes heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, and hip pain.
Adenomyosis vs. Endometriosis
Timing of Hip Pain From Endometriosis
Due to changingestrogen levelsthroughout your menstrual cycle, hip pain from endometriosis may vary throughout the month. The changing levels stimulate the endometrial implants causing them to bleed, resulting in inflammation, irritation, and pain.
Is it Normal to Get Your Period Twice a Month?
Ovulation
Ovulationis the release of an egg from an ovary. It usually occurs mid-cycle, about two weeks before starting your period.It is common to have mild discomfort during ovulation, but it usually goes away after a couple of days.Ovulation painis generally on one side.
Endometriosis pain during ovulation can spread to the hips or legs. It usually lasts longer than 48 hours and can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Before and During Period
Endometriosis hip pain often starts a few days before starting your period, gets worse during your period, and stops once the bleeding is over.
Chronic Issues
Chronic symptoms are those that last longer than six months.Chronic pelvic pain is one of the most common problems of endometriosis.
Research has linked other chronic health concerns to endometriosis. While the exact reasons for these connections are still unclear, they include the following:
After Hysterectomy
Ahysterectomyis the surgical removal of the uterus and sometimes the ovaries. It is the last resort whentreating endometriosis, especially for those who want to conceive more children.
Endometriosis symptoms can still occur after a hysterectomy. Most likely because of lesions that were overlooked or left behind. Sometimes lesions do not look like a typical endometriosis lesion or are not located within the surgical area explored.
Endometriosis Bowel Symptoms: Pain, Relief, and Surgery
Tips for Endometriosis Hip Pain Relief
For mild endometriosis hip pain, you can try the following options at home:
Talk with your healthcare provider before usingheat therapy. While it helps with endometriosis cramping, it could inflame the nerves, leading to increased hip pain.
Is Ice or Heat Better for Treating an Injury?
If the pain is moderate, severe, or progressing, your healthcare provider may suggest the following:
Complementary and Alternative TreatmentComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatmentsthat may provide relief include:ChiropracticsAcupunctureVitamin B1, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, cinnamon twig, or licorice rootBoiron or Naturopathica (arnica) cream or pelletsIsoflavones
Complementary and Alternative Treatment
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatmentsthat may provide relief include:ChiropracticsAcupunctureVitamin B1, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, cinnamon twig, or licorice rootBoiron or Naturopathica (arnica) cream or pelletsIsoflavones
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatmentsthat may provide relief include:
Summary
While it’s common to assume that hip pain comes from an injury, arthritis, or bursitis, it can also result from multiple gynecologic conditions, including endometriosis. When endometrial lesions entrap, irritate, or inflame pelvic nerves, pain can radiate to the hip, buttocks, and legs.
Hip pain due to endometriosis can vary based on your menstrual cycle. Many note it gets worse before their period but starts to ease up after the bleeding is over.
In addition to chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis has been connected to fibromyalgia, anxiety, autoimmune disorders, asthma, some cancers, and more. Treatment for endometriosis depends on the severity of your symptoms.
Frequently Asked QuestionsOther interventions such as physical therapy, exercise, acupuncture, or cold therapy can help alleviate hip pain. Surgery may be a consideration when you and your healthcare providers have exhausted all othertreatment options, including lifestyle modifications, stretching exercises, medication, and alternative therapies.Stretching exercisescan help relax your hip flexors. There are several to choose from, including a simple hip flexor stretch or the piriformis stretch. Aphysical therapistis a great resource to help you decide which is best for you.Pain fromovarian cystsis usually in the lower abdomen on one side of the body. While it can be a dull ache, it can also cause sudden sharp pain.Endometriosis pain is usually a more generalized (all over) abdominal cramping, like period cramps.Learn MoreWhat Are Ovarian Cysts?
Other interventions such as physical therapy, exercise, acupuncture, or cold therapy can help alleviate hip pain. Surgery may be a consideration when you and your healthcare providers have exhausted all othertreatment options, including lifestyle modifications, stretching exercises, medication, and alternative therapies.
Stretching exercisescan help relax your hip flexors. There are several to choose from, including a simple hip flexor stretch or the piriformis stretch. Aphysical therapistis a great resource to help you decide which is best for you.
Pain fromovarian cystsis usually in the lower abdomen on one side of the body. While it can be a dull ache, it can also cause sudden sharp pain.Endometriosis pain is usually a more generalized (all over) abdominal cramping, like period cramps.Learn MoreWhat Are Ovarian Cysts?
Pain fromovarian cystsis usually in the lower abdomen on one side of the body. While it can be a dull ache, it can also cause sudden sharp pain.Endometriosis pain is usually a more generalized (all over) abdominal cramping, like period cramps.
Learn MoreWhat Are Ovarian Cysts?
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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.
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