Symptoms of Endometriosis

Classic symptoms:

• Pain with periods (dysmenorrhoea)
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Sub-fertility or infertility
• Bowel involvement e.g. pain before defecation, painful wind, constipation, diarrhoea, bloating. These symptoms are often associated with a period.

Other general symptoms:

• constant tiredness
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• pain at other times (e.g. with ovulation)
• pain in other places (e.g. lower back pain)
• abnormal menstrual bleeding
• pain before or with urination

The amount of pain is not always related to the extent of disease. For example, some girls and women with mild endometriosis can suffer severe symptoms. Not every woman with endometriosis will have regular monthly symptoms. It may only be diagnosed when a woman is having investigations for other conditions such as IBS or sub-fertility. Endometriosis is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

It is important for a girl or a woman not to ignore symptoms. If symptoms regularly interfere with your quality of life you will need to discuss this with your doctor.  Referral to a gynaecologist, for diagnosis and appropriate treatment may be advised.

If you have these symptoms, read on about diagnosis and treatment options.

You can also click on ENZ services and Centres of Excellence.