Symptoms of Endometriosis
The main symptom of endometriosis is pain in the pelvis, similar to that of menstrual pain. Those diagnosed with endometriosis generally complain of having very severe menstrual pain which progressively worsens.
Here are the typical signs and symptoms of endometriosis:
- Menstrual cramps – Pelvic cramps can occur before menstruation and last many days. The pain can also spread to the lower back and abdomen.
- Intercourse pain – Pain can occur during or after intercourse
- Pain in the bowels or urinary tract – pain can occur in these areas usually during menstruation
- Abnormal Bleeding – sporadic heavy menstruation or unusual bleeding in between menstruations
- Fertility issues – endometriosis is commonly identified in patients consulting treatment for infertility
- Other signs and symptoms which usually surface during menstruation include fatigue, bowel symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloated stomach and nausea.
Despite of being a painful disorder, the intensity of pain experienced by the patient may not reflect the extent of endometriosis. One may have moderate endometriosis with severe pain while the other may have severe endometriosis with moderate or negligible pain.
One similarity between fibromyalgia and endometriosis is that both conditions can be mixed up with other disorders. Endometriosis can be confused with other conditions that produce pain in the pelvic and abdomen area. They include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
I do appreciate this article and the excellent information! This website is amazing and has find and defined many conditions I’ve suffered! I believe I had endometriosis for years as I always had terrible, painful periods! I was in my twenties in the eighties and I spoke to many doctors and a few gynecoligists over the years but they dismissed it and told me to take ibuprofen before my period started. Needless to say I was already taking tons of it, which caused problems later! Anyway, I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis in 2013 , after being ill for a long time and searching for a cure. I’m 2011, however, I had to have a hysterectomy after years of bleeding between periods until it became way worse and totally denigrating to my life and work. I had had uterine fibroids, undiagnosed for years and as a result was infertile so was unable to have the child of my dreams. I’m so very glad there is awareness for all of this now! Drs just didn’t know much about endometriosis for years and I didn’t always have adequate health insurance and I fell through the cracks of the healthcare system. Furthermore this system ignores many “female” issues which need way more research! To and ladies suffering, speak up I dears! Be insistent and be your own advocate with medical professionals! You do not need to suffer! Waiting may also result in infertility and cancer as I had and you can prevent this! Thank you healthiculture.com/fibromyalgia for the great information! Keep.it comin! All my Best to all!