The symptoms of endometriosis can vary depending on which area of the body is involved. Some of the most common include pain in the pelvic region and changes in menstrual cycles. A woman suffering from endometriosis may also have increased period pain, pain during sex, and uncomfortable bowel movements. Although the symptoms of endometriosis can be extremely difficult for some women, others only experience mild pain.
Endometriosis is a condition where cells from the womb grow on other organs of the body. Symptoms of endometriosis occur because these cells continue to follow the menstrual cycle, despite not being found in the womb. This can result in a range of symptoms ranging from mild to debilitating, depending on which part of the body is affected. Although sometimes the condition will disappear on its own, the majority of women require treatment to stop its progression.
The most common symptoms of endometriosis affect the pelvic region. A woman with the condition will often have constant and longterm pain in the pelvis or stomach area. This may feel like period pain. In some cases, painful symptoms will also occur in the lower back.
Heavy periods are often a symptom of endometriosis. These may or may not be accompanied by additional pain. Many women also find that they bleed between periods or that their menstrual patterns have changed.
Another of the many common symptoms of endometriosis is pain during sexual intercourse. The condition can also cause problems with fertility. Women with endometriosis may be at an increased risk of having a miscarriage, although this is considered to be a complication rather than a symptom.
The condition sometimes causes problems with bowel movements. Pain while urinating, for example, is also relatively common. Bleeding from the rectum can also occur, although this is less frequent than other symptoms.
There are a number of other symptoms of endometriosis, although these are less common. For example, a woman suffering from the condition may feel constantly tired. In some cases, this fatigue can be extreme and have a significant effect on the person’s quality of life.
Other symptoms depend on the area of the body concerned. The condition usually occurs in organs around the pelvis, but in some cases it can spread to the heart or lungs and cause additional symptoms. For example, if the endometriosis cells have spread to the lungs, a constant cough may result. It can also sometimes cause the person to cough up blood.
