Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon SymptomsUncommon SymptomsDuration of SymptomsIntensity and ExtentDiagnosisWhat Worsens It?At-Home TreatmentMedical TreatmentNext in Endometriosis GuideTheories About Endometriosis Causes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Symptoms
Uncommon Symptoms
Duration of Symptoms
Intensity and Extent
Diagnosis
What Worsens It?
At-Home Treatment
Medical Treatment
Next in Endometriosis Guide
Endometriosisis a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain, bloating, infertility, and other symptoms. A person with endometriosis could have debilitating symptoms that affect their everyday life or no symptoms at all.
Endometriosis symptoms often include:
This article describes various endometriosis symptoms and treatment options.
Common Endometriosis Symptoms
Pain is the most commonendometriosissymptom.However, not everyone with endometriosis experiences pain the same way.
Pain
Endometriosis-related pain can be felt invarious locations, including the pelvis, abdomen, back, hips, legs, and more. There can also be different triggers for pain, such as sex, urination, bowel movements, menstrual periods, and more.
The frequency of endometriosis pain varies from person to person. Some people are constantly in pain, whereas others may only have pain occasionally.
The severity of endometriosis pain is also individual. Some experience debilitating pain, while others feel only mild discomfort.
The Endometriosis Advice I Give to My Daughters
Painful Sex, Irregular Bleeding, Infertility
One study interviewed 35 people with endometriosis and examined their responses to learn about the impact of endometriosis on people’s lives. According to the results, the most common endometriosis symptoms besides pain werepainful sex,irregular bleeding, andinfertility.
Endo Belly
Historically, this symptom was disregarded as being unrelated to endometriosis. However, research indicates it is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis.As more people with endometriosis advocate for themselves and researchers learn more about the disease, the symptom profile becomes more accurate.
Myth vs. Fact: Do People With Endometriosis Always Have Heavy Periods?Endometriosis is more than a “period condition”; it is a full-body disease. People with both heavy and light periods are diagnosed with endometriosis.Adenomyosis, on the other hand, is a condition that is frequently diagnosed alongside endometriosis and causes heavy periods.Adenomyosis is when the endometrium (the uterus lining) grows abnormally into the uterine wall.Uterine fibroidsare another condition that may cause heavy periods.
Myth vs. Fact: Do People With Endometriosis Always Have Heavy Periods?
Endometriosis is more than a “period condition”; it is a full-body disease. People with both heavy and light periods are diagnosed with endometriosis.Adenomyosis, on the other hand, is a condition that is frequently diagnosed alongside endometriosis and causes heavy periods.Adenomyosis is when the endometrium (the uterus lining) grows abnormally into the uterine wall.Uterine fibroidsare another condition that may cause heavy periods.
What Are the First Signs of Endometriosis?
The age at which endometriosis symptoms begin differs from person to person. Children and adolescents can have endometriosis. It has even been found in fetuses.However, the average delay to getting an endometriosis diagnosis is 10 years.This is due to many factors, including not promptly recognizing endometriosis symptoms.
Pain and painful periods tend to be the first acknowledged sign of endometriosis. However, other symptoms may occur before or alongside pain. In some cases, no symptoms are felt, and endometriosis is only diagnosed when a person finds they have infertility.
In an interview study of people with endometriosis, this is how they described their first signs of endometriosis:
Thoracic Endometriosis
Uncommon Endometriosis Symptoms
According to research, less common endometriosis symptoms include:
Some people with endometriosis also experience chest symptoms. This rare symptom could signifythoracicendometriosis(endometriosis lesions in the chest cavity).
As a result, there is limited research on what chest symptoms of endometriosis feel like. However, one case report described symptoms as an unproductive cough, chest pain, and breathlessness during the menstrual cycle.
How Long Do Endometriosis Symptoms Last?
Endometriosis symptoms can last varying lengths of time. According to one study, endometriosis pain has three main patterns: cyclical, constant, and random.In other words, a person with endometriosis may have temporary pain that lasts minutes or chronic, continuous pain.
A person’s pattern can also change over time. It usually becomes more severe over time, or it can be constant and flaring up during menstrual periods.
Symptom Intensity Does Not Always Match Disease Extent
The severity of endometriosis symptoms doesn’t necessarily match the extent of the disease. Most healthcare providers use the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)stages of endometriosisto classify endometriosis. This system is based on the impact of endometriosis on fertility and has no relation to other symptoms.
For example, someone could be in extreme and constant pain with manybowel symptomsbut be diagnosed as stage 1. Another person with no pain, bloating, or other symptoms but who is struggling with fertility could be diagnosed as stage 4.
Getting Your Endometriosis Symptoms Validated
If you are experiencing endometriosis symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They should listen to your symptoms and concerns and begin adiagnosisprocess that includes ruling out other possible conditions.
Many people with endometriosis have stories of being told “pain is normal” or “tough it out.“Unfortunately, that frame of mind is one of the reasons that most diagnoses of endometriosis are delayed 10 years on average.
If you feel that your healthcare provider is not taking your symptoms seriously, you can seek a second opinion.
What Makes Endo Symptoms Worse?
Certain factors can worsen endometriosis symptoms. Sometimes, the factors that trigger or worsenflare-upsare unavoidable.
Triggers
There are many possible triggers for endometriosis pain, bloating, fatigue, and other symptoms. Not everyone will react to every trigger. Journaling or keeping a record may help you identify your endometriosis symptom triggers. Some endometriosis triggers include:
Menstrual Cycle
Many people with endometriosis report that their symptoms worsen during their period. According to research, endometriosis pain during the menstrual cycle may feel like:
Associated Gynecologic Conditions
Other gynecologic conditions (conditions involving the female reproductive organs) can occur alongside endometriosis and either worsen symptoms or cause similar and overlapping symptoms.
Some of these conditions include:
Treating Endometriosis Symptoms at Home
The symptoms of endometriosis can impact your daily life. While it’s impossible to cure your endometriosis withhome remedies, there are ways to make yourself feel better and manage your symptoms at home.
Some ways that people treat their endometriosis symptoms at home include:
Self-Care Strategies for Getting Through an Endo Flare-UpAdopting a newself-care strategycan be hard when you’re in pain. Instead, pay attention to your symptoms all month long to help identify possible triggers. This way, you may be more prepared when an endo flare comes.
Self-Care Strategies for Getting Through an Endo Flare-Up
Adopting a newself-care strategycan be hard when you’re in pain. Instead, pay attention to your symptoms all month long to help identify possible triggers. This way, you may be more prepared when an endo flare comes.
What Is Endometriosis Supportive Therapy?
Medical Treatment for Endometriosis Pain
Everyone’s pain and symptom management plan for endometriosis is different. Some may be prescribed medications for pain or gastrointestinal symptoms. You may be referred to other specialists likepelvic floor physical therapists,gastroenterologists,urologists,cardiologists, or pain management specialists.
The only way to confirm endometriosis is to havelaparoscopic surgery(a surgical technique using small incisions and a camera to see internal structures). During surgery, the possible endometriosis lesions should be excised (cut out) and sent to a disease specialist, like apathologist, to confirm the tissue is endometriosis.
Whileendometriosis surgerymay be invasive and expensive, the good news is that surgery serves the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Many people report relief from endometriosis symptoms long-term afterexcision surgery.
Getting to a Pain Management SpecialistSurgery isn’t the right answer for everyone with endometriosis. Many people find they benefit from the skills of apain management specialist, an expert in reducing pain. If you have chronic or uncontrolled pain from endometriosis, talk to a healthcare provider about being referred to a pain management specialist.
Getting to a Pain Management Specialist
Surgery isn’t the right answer for everyone with endometriosis. Many people find they benefit from the skills of apain management specialist, an expert in reducing pain. If you have chronic or uncontrolled pain from endometriosis, talk to a healthcare provider about being referred to a pain management specialist.
It Took a Ruptured Cyst for Me to Get the Endometriosis Care I Needed
Summary
The most common endometriosis symptom is pain, but the severity and type of pain can vary individually. Other endometriosis symptoms include infertility, irregular bleeding, “endo belly,” fatigue, painful urination, painful bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea, sleep disruption, and more. Certain factors can influence endometriosis pain and may be out of your control. Surgery is used to diagnose and treat endometriosis.
13 SourcesVerywell 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.Cleveland Clinic.Endometriosis.Moradi M, Parker M, Sneddon A, Lopez V, Ellwood D.Impact of endometriosis on women’s lives: a qualitative study.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:123. doi: 10.1186/1472-6874-14-123Ek M, Roth B, Ekström P, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms among endometriosis patients—a case-cohort study.BMC Women’s Health. 2015;15(1):59. doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0213-2Johns Hopkins Medicine.Adenomyosis.Signorile PG, Baldi A.The presence of endometriosis in the human fetus. In: Nezhat CH, ed.Endometriosis in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis and Management. Springer International Publishing; 2020:205-214.Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: Fast facts.Nezhat C, Lindheim SR, Backhus L, et al.Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: a review of diagnosis and management.JSLS. 2019;23(3):e2019.00029. doi: 10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029Ogunkoya JO, Solaja TO, Ogunlade AF, Ogunmola MI.Thoracic endometriosis: a presentation of an uncommon disease in a black african woman.Case Reports in Medicine. 2022;2022:e2380700. doi: 10.1155/2022/2380700Drabble SJ, Long J, Alele B, O’Cathain A.Constellations of pain: a qualitative study of the complexity of women’s endometriosis-related pain.Br J Pain. 2021;15(3):345-356. doi:10.1177/2049463720961413Johnson NP, Hummelshoj L, Adamson GD, et al.World Endometriosis Society consensus on the classification of endometriosis.Hum Reprod. 2017;32(2):315-324. doi:10.1093/humrep/dew293Surrey ES, Soliman AM, Johnson SJ, Davis M, Castelli-Haley J, Snabes MC.Risk of developing comorbidities among women with endometriosis: a retrospective matched cohort study.Journal of Women’s Health. 2018;27(9):1114-1123. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2017.6432Leyendecker G, Bilgicyildirim A, Inacker M, et al.Adenomyosis and endometriosis. Re-visiting their association and further insights into the mechanisms of auto-traumatisation. An MRI study.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015;291(4):917-932. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3437-8Byrne D, Curnow T, Smith P, Cutner A, Saridogan E, Clark TJ.Laparoscopic excision of deep rectovaginal endometriosis in BSGE endometriosis centres: a multicentre prospective cohort study.BMJ Open. 2018;8(4):e018924. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018924
13 Sources
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.Cleveland Clinic.Endometriosis.Moradi M, Parker M, Sneddon A, Lopez V, Ellwood D.Impact of endometriosis on women’s lives: a qualitative study.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:123. doi: 10.1186/1472-6874-14-123Ek M, Roth B, Ekström P, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms among endometriosis patients—a case-cohort study.BMC Women’s Health. 2015;15(1):59. doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0213-2Johns Hopkins Medicine.Adenomyosis.Signorile PG, Baldi A.The presence of endometriosis in the human fetus. In: Nezhat CH, ed.Endometriosis in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis and Management. Springer International Publishing; 2020:205-214.Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: Fast facts.Nezhat C, Lindheim SR, Backhus L, et al.Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: a review of diagnosis and management.JSLS. 2019;23(3):e2019.00029. doi: 10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029Ogunkoya JO, Solaja TO, Ogunlade AF, Ogunmola MI.Thoracic endometriosis: a presentation of an uncommon disease in a black african woman.Case Reports in Medicine. 2022;2022:e2380700. doi: 10.1155/2022/2380700Drabble SJ, Long J, Alele B, O’Cathain A.Constellations of pain: a qualitative study of the complexity of women’s endometriosis-related pain.Br J Pain. 2021;15(3):345-356. doi:10.1177/2049463720961413Johnson NP, Hummelshoj L, Adamson GD, et al.World Endometriosis Society consensus on the classification of endometriosis.Hum Reprod. 2017;32(2):315-324. doi:10.1093/humrep/dew293Surrey ES, Soliman AM, Johnson SJ, Davis M, Castelli-Haley J, Snabes MC.Risk of developing comorbidities among women with endometriosis: a retrospective matched cohort study.Journal of Women’s Health. 2018;27(9):1114-1123. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2017.6432Leyendecker G, Bilgicyildirim A, Inacker M, et al.Adenomyosis and endometriosis. Re-visiting their association and further insights into the mechanisms of auto-traumatisation. An MRI study.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015;291(4):917-932. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3437-8Byrne D, Curnow T, Smith P, Cutner A, Saridogan E, Clark TJ.Laparoscopic excision of deep rectovaginal endometriosis in BSGE endometriosis centres: a multicentre prospective cohort study.BMJ Open. 2018;8(4):e018924. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018924
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.
Cleveland Clinic.Endometriosis.Moradi M, Parker M, Sneddon A, Lopez V, Ellwood D.Impact of endometriosis on women’s lives: a qualitative study.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:123. doi: 10.1186/1472-6874-14-123Ek M, Roth B, Ekström P, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms among endometriosis patients—a case-cohort study.BMC Women’s Health. 2015;15(1):59. doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0213-2Johns Hopkins Medicine.Adenomyosis.Signorile PG, Baldi A.The presence of endometriosis in the human fetus. In: Nezhat CH, ed.Endometriosis in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis and Management. Springer International Publishing; 2020:205-214.Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: Fast facts.Nezhat C, Lindheim SR, Backhus L, et al.Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: a review of diagnosis and management.JSLS. 2019;23(3):e2019.00029. doi: 10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029Ogunkoya JO, Solaja TO, Ogunlade AF, Ogunmola MI.Thoracic endometriosis: a presentation of an uncommon disease in a black african woman.Case Reports in Medicine. 2022;2022:e2380700. doi: 10.1155/2022/2380700Drabble SJ, Long J, Alele B, O’Cathain A.Constellations of pain: a qualitative study of the complexity of women’s endometriosis-related pain.Br J Pain. 2021;15(3):345-356. doi:10.1177/2049463720961413Johnson NP, Hummelshoj L, Adamson GD, et al.World Endometriosis Society consensus on the classification of endometriosis.Hum Reprod. 2017;32(2):315-324. doi:10.1093/humrep/dew293Surrey ES, Soliman AM, Johnson SJ, Davis M, Castelli-Haley J, Snabes MC.Risk of developing comorbidities among women with endometriosis: a retrospective matched cohort study.Journal of Women’s Health. 2018;27(9):1114-1123. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2017.6432Leyendecker G, Bilgicyildirim A, Inacker M, et al.Adenomyosis and endometriosis. Re-visiting their association and further insights into the mechanisms of auto-traumatisation. An MRI study.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015;291(4):917-932. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3437-8Byrne D, Curnow T, Smith P, Cutner A, Saridogan E, Clark TJ.Laparoscopic excision of deep rectovaginal endometriosis in BSGE endometriosis centres: a multicentre prospective cohort study.BMJ Open. 2018;8(4):e018924. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018924
Cleveland Clinic.Endometriosis.
Moradi M, Parker M, Sneddon A, Lopez V, Ellwood D.Impact of endometriosis on women’s lives: a qualitative study.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:123. doi: 10.1186/1472-6874-14-123
Ek M, Roth B, Ekström P, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms among endometriosis patients—a case-cohort study.BMC Women’s Health. 2015;15(1):59. doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0213-2
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Adenomyosis.
Signorile PG, Baldi A.The presence of endometriosis in the human fetus. In: Nezhat CH, ed.Endometriosis in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis and Management. Springer International Publishing; 2020:205-214.
Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: Fast facts.
Nezhat C, Lindheim SR, Backhus L, et al.Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: a review of diagnosis and management.JSLS. 2019;23(3):e2019.00029. doi: 10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029
Ogunkoya JO, Solaja TO, Ogunlade AF, Ogunmola MI.Thoracic endometriosis: a presentation of an uncommon disease in a black african woman.Case Reports in Medicine. 2022;2022:e2380700. doi: 10.1155/2022/2380700
Drabble SJ, Long J, Alele B, O’Cathain A.Constellations of pain: a qualitative study of the complexity of women’s endometriosis-related pain.Br J Pain. 2021;15(3):345-356. doi:10.1177/2049463720961413
Johnson NP, Hummelshoj L, Adamson GD, et al.World Endometriosis Society consensus on the classification of endometriosis.Hum Reprod. 2017;32(2):315-324. doi:10.1093/humrep/dew293
Surrey ES, Soliman AM, Johnson SJ, Davis M, Castelli-Haley J, Snabes MC.Risk of developing comorbidities among women with endometriosis: a retrospective matched cohort study.Journal of Women’s Health. 2018;27(9):1114-1123. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2017.6432
Leyendecker G, Bilgicyildirim A, Inacker M, et al.Adenomyosis and endometriosis. Re-visiting their association and further insights into the mechanisms of auto-traumatisation. An MRI study.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015;291(4):917-932. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3437-8
Byrne D, Curnow T, Smith P, Cutner A, Saridogan E, Clark TJ.Laparoscopic excision of deep rectovaginal endometriosis in BSGE endometriosis centres: a multicentre prospective cohort study.BMJ Open. 2018;8(4):e018924. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018924
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