The 7 signs of endometriosis you should be aware of

Endometriosis, whilst common – affecting around one in ten women – is famously difficult to diagnose, partly because its symptoms are so similar to those of other conditions associated with women’s health. However, there are some signs of endometriosis that should not be ignored.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where uterine (womb) tissue grows outside of the womb, typically on the organs in the abdominal region. This tissue, which would usually be expelled from the body during menstruation, then has nowhere to go, which can lead to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue.

What are the main signs of endometriosis to look out for?

Because endometriosis symptoms can be like those of other women’s health issues, like period pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), people often ignore them. However, if you are suffering from any of the following, it might be time to seek specialist help:

1 Severe period pain

We are told that it is ‘normal’ to experience pain during menstruation, and to a certain extent that is true, but if your period pains are so intense that they are affecting your daily life – necessitating time off work, for example – then that is not normal, and you should seek medical attention.

2 Digestive problems

There is a high crossover between endometriosis and IBS – in fact, some experts believe there may be a link between the two – so if you are regularly experiencing symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation or nausea, don’t just write it off as IBS, particularly if you are also experiencing some of the other symptoms listed here.

3 Bladder problems

People with endometriosis often experience pain during urination. This may be worse around the time of your period but can happen at any point in your cycle.

4 Pelvic pain

If you are suffering from pain in the pelvic region throughout the month, not just in the days surrounding your period, this could also be a sign of endometriosis – if scar tissue has formed within the pelvic floor region, this can cause inflammation and pain.

5 Spotting between periods

If you sometimes find small amounts of blood in your underwear in between your periods, this is known as ‘breakthrough bleeding’ and can be a symptom of endometriosis.

6 Pain during sexual intercourse

Because the most common area for endometriosis-related scar tissue to form is in the pelvic region, this can affect sexual intercourse. If you are regularly experiencing pain during sex, it might be sensible to speak to a doctor.

7 Unexplained infertility

If you have been trying to conceive with no success, endometriosis could be a factor. Although experts don’t yet know if there is a direct causal link between endometriosis and infertility, around four in ten women with infertility also have endometriosis.

If one or more of the symptoms listed above sounds familiar, then it is important to speak to a gynaecologist about your concerns. Here at SureScan, we offer the one and only consultant-led women’s health service in the UK. For more information or to book a consultation, please contact us.