Endometriosis Symptoms
endometriosis Resources
→ Endometriosis Symptoms & Pain
Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis
Endometriosis Pain Symptoms
The most common symptom associated with endometriosis is pain. Because endometriosis presents in many different ways, the type and severity of pain may vary. It is also important to notice that the severity of the disease doesn’t always correlate with the severity of pain. Sometimes, women with severe endometriosis don’t experience much pain while women with mild endometriosis can feel very significant pain.
Severe menstrual pain (Dysmenorrhea): The most common form of pain is cyclical pelvic pain that varies during the menstrual cycle, becoming worse on the days leading up to and during periods. Cramping during a woman’s period is quite common and is not necessarily linked to endometriosis. The condition should be suspected when the pain is much stronger than usual, i.e., one is not able to undertake regular activities like going to school or attend work and/or when the intensity of pain gets worse over time.
Pain during sexual intercourse (Dyspareunia): Pain during or sometimes after intercourse can be caused by endometriosis. Typically, pain associated with endometriosis is what is called deep dyspareunia, i.e., pain with deep penetration as opposed to superficial or pain at the entrance.
Non-cyclical pelvic or abdominal pain: With time, pain caused by endometriosis can extend to other phases of the cycle, typically around ovulation or on the days preceding periods.
Other pain: If the endometriosis has spread to other organs it can cause pain with bowel motions, pain with a full bladder or during urination, lower back and leg pain and, in rare cases of endometriosis, on the diaphragm or lung, upper abdomen and chest pain. Pain tends to be cyclical with some days worse than others and tends to be worse during periods.
Endometriosis Bleeding Symptoms
Women with endometriosis may experience changes to their bleeding pattern. The most common presentations are heavy periods and inter-menstrual bleeding.
In rare cases of rectal, bladder or lung endometriosis, women can experience bleeding from the anus, in the urine or from the nose respectively.
Endometriosis Infertility Symptoms
Not so much a symptom, but more a clinical presentation, infertility is very important. Endometriosis is present in up to 70% of women who have pain and are not able to fall pregnant.
Other Endometriosis Symptoms
Some generalised non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, migraines and bloating can also be caused by endometriosis. These feelings are common and can be caused by several other conditions. Endometriosis is not usually thought to be the cause when these symptoms present on their own in the absence of more specific endometriosis symptoms.
Snapshot of Endometriosis Symptoms
| Pain Symptoms | Irregular Bleeding Symptoms | Bowel & Bladder Symptoms | Other Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menstrual pain (Dysmenorrhoea) | Excessive menstrual bleeding | Painful bowel movements | Infertility or reduced fertility |
| Pain during ovulation | Irregular menstrual cycles | Bleeding from the rectum | Tiredness, moodiness, lack of energy, fatigue |
| Pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen, rectum, vagina or in your lower back (during period) | Longer than usual periods | Pain with a full bladder | Cyclical pain around period time over other areas such as lower back, legs, upper abdomen and chest. |
| Pain during an internal pelvic examination | Intermenstrual bleeding & spotting | Bloating during period | |
| Pain during or after intercourse (Dyspareunia) | Loss of old or dark blood before a period | Pain while urinating | |
| Pelvic pain that persists all the time, independent of menstrual cycles | Less commonly, bleeding from the rectum and bladder | Diarrhoea & constipation |
| Pain Symptoms |
|---|
| Menstrual pain (Dysmenorrhoea) |
| Pain during ovulation |
| Pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen, rectum, vagina or in your lower back (during period) |
| Pain during an internal pelvic examination |
| Pain during or after intercourse (Dyspareunia) |
| Pelvic pain that persists all the time, independent of menstrual cycles |
| Irregular Bleeding Symptoms |
| Excessive menstrual bleeding |
| Irregular menstrual cycles |
| Longer than usual periods |
| Intermenstrual bleeding & spotting |
| Loss of old or dark blood before a period |
| Less commonly, bleeding from the rectum and bladder |
| Bowel & Bladder Symptoms |
| Painful bowel movements |
| Bleeding from the rectum |
| Pain with a full bladder |
| Bloating during period |
| Pain while urinating |
| Diarrhoea & constipation |
| Other Symptoms |
| Infertility or reduced fertility |
| Tiredness, moodiness, lack of energy, fatigue |
| Cyclical pain around period time over other areas such as lower back, legs, upper abdomen and chest. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still get pregnant with endometriosis symptoms?
Yes. As much as endometriosis can have a significant impact on fertility, not all endometriosis causes infertility. Some women that fall pregnant have endometriosis that they never knew about. Some women with known endometriosis are able to fall pregnant. Some women are able to fall pregnant after they have surgery to treat endometriosis while some women may need assisted fertility treatment such as IVF. Unfortunately, a small number of women with severe endometriosis never succeed in falling pregnant.
Can endometriosis have no symptoms?
Yes. Endometriosis is sometimes found in women who have laparoscopies for other reasons who never had any symptoms.
What are the first signs of endometriosis?
In most women, the first signs that makes one suspect of the disease, is increasingly worse cyclical pain with periods and/or with intercourse. Sometimes, the first symptoms can be changes to the pattern of menstrual bleeding. Some asymptomatic women find out that they have endometriosis when they are trying to fall pregnant and do not succeed.