What Are the Signs of Endometriosis?

To call endometriosis common is somewhat of an understatement if you consider that the gynecologic condition affects about 11% of women between the ages of 15 and 44, here in the United States and around the world.

Although millions of American women have endometriosis at any given time, it still takes four to 11 years to get a correct diagnosis, and researchers believe that six out of 10 cases of endometriosis go undiagnosed.

Since March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, the team of experienced medical providers at Bay Area Physicians for Women’s Health wants to do its part to raise this awareness. To that end, we review some basics about endometriosis and its more common signs.

Endometriosis basics

Let’s start with a brief review of what occurs when you have endometriosis. Under normal circumstances, the lining of your uterus, the endometrium, is lined with endometrial cells and tissues.  

These tissues respond to hormonal shifts during your menstrual cycles and thicken to host a fertilized egg each month. When this egg doesn't arrive, the tissues shed, which is what creates your period, and then your endometrium resets for the next cycle.

With endometriosis, endometrial tissues grow outside your uterus, where they often attach to different structures and organs in your pelvis and abdominal cavities. The problem with these misplaced tissues is that they respond to your menstrual cycles, too, except they have nowhere to shed. As a result, adhesions (scar tissue) can form, and many women experience inflammation.

Common signs of endometriosis

Given that endometrial tissues can attach to a wide range of organs and structures, there’s also a wide range of symptoms. For this discussion, we’re going to touch on the top five, including:

1. Painful periods

Also called dysmenorrhea, most women with endometriosis experience painful periods as the misplaced tissues grow and become inflamed.

2. Painful sex

Endometrial tissues often collect in the cul-de-sac, which is an area that separates your uterus and your rectum. When this happens, the vagina often doesn’t expand comfortably, which can lead to dyspareunia, which is the medical term for painful intercourse. By the numbers, these symptoms occur in more than half of women with endometriosis.

3. Painful bowel movements

If endometrial adhesions attach to your rectum or lower bowel, you can experience pain during bowel movements, especially during your period.

4. Infertility

Endometrial adhesions can block fertilization, leading to pelvic inflammation, both of which can affect fertility. The reality is that up to half of women with endometriosis are infertile.

5. Digestive issues

Inflammation and adhesions can affect your lower digestive tract and lead to gas, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.

Again, there are more symptoms of endometriosis, but these five are the most prevalent. So, if you’re experiencing any of these issues, we urge you to see us for an evaluation and treatment.

Take the first step today. Please contact our office in Mobile, Alabama, to schedule an appointment.