Symptoms of Endometriosis

The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. The pain is usually associated with the menstrual cycle, however women with endometriosis may also experience pain at other times during the month.

For many women, the pain of endometriosis is so severe and debilitating that it significantly affects their lives. Bowel related symptoms are common with endometriosis and should be discussed with a specialist gynaecologist and investigated. Pain is frequently associated with bowel movements or wind and is sometimes diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Bloating is common.

Pain during sexual intercourse can be common and should be discussed with a doctor as it indicates that endometriosis may be present in the recto-vaginal septum and / or cul de sac, often referred to as the Pouch of Douglas. Also many women describe a deep-seated ache for several hours following intercourse. Internal examination of the vagina or bowel and / or cervical smear can cause discomfort or pain for those women.

Endometriosis can cause some women to have trouble conceiving which is called sub-fertility.  Surgery to remove the endometriosis and restore normal anatomy helps fertility. Sometimes women need help to conceive through processes such as IVF.

The chronic nature of endometriosis and associated symptoms often leads to an inability to cope and can affect relations at home and productivity at work.

Symptoms

• pain with periods (dysmenorrhoea)
• bowel problems like bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, pain with bowel movements, painful wind
• painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• sub-fertility or infertility
• tiredness and low energy
• pain in other places such as the lower back
• pain at other times like with ovulation
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This might make you feel moody, emotional or irritable
  abnormal menstrual bleeding
• pain before or with urination, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI’s) or interstitial cystitis (IC)

Discomfort with periods is often normal, distress is never normal. If your period is affecting your lifestyle in this way, it is important for you to seek help and find out why.  Endometriosis is often described as mild, moderate or severe. However, the amount of pain or other symptoms is not always related to the extent of the disease. This is one of the unexplained mysteries of endometriosis.