When symptomatic, pelvic pain is the most common presenting symptom. Other symptoms include dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia, irregular bleeding, low back pain, hematuria and dysuria. In rare cases, endometriosis of the lungs and brain may present with hemoptysis and seizures.
Presentation and clinical course of endometriosis
Patients often present with symptoms such as intermenstrual bleeding, painful periods (dysmenorrhea), painful intercourse (dyspareunia), painful defecation (dyschezia) and painful urination (dysuria) [15]. Pelvic pain may present before menstruation begins.
Pelvic pain is the most common complaint for women with endometriosis, and it can significantly impair the quality of life, including work and social activities. The pelvic pain associated with endometriosis is usually chronic (lasting more than 6 months).
Endometriosis often causes severe pain in the pelvis, especially during menstrual periods. Some people also have pain during sex or when using the bathroom.
Endometriosis Symptoms
The most common signs of endometriosis are pain and infertility. Endometriosis pain typically presents as: Painful menstrual cramps that may go into the abdomen (stomach) or lower back. Pain during or after sex.
Pelvic pain was identified as the most frequent, severe and bothersome symptom for women with endometriosis. Pain was reported to be greatest during menstruation (dysmenorrhea) and during or after sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).
Results: The study included 199 women. The ENDOPAIN-4D score had a four dimensional structure with good internal consistency (measured by Cronbach α): (I) pain-related disability (α = 0.79), (II) painful bowel symptoms (α = 0.80), (III) dyspareunia (α = 0.83), and (IV) painful urinary tract symptoms (α = 0.77).
Less common signs of endometriosis include changes during urination (such as pain and increased frequency) or bowel movements (such as constipation or diarrhea), back pain and abnormal uterine bleeding. Rare signs of endometriosis might include chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and infertility are the most common presenting symptoms. The disease is characterized by estrogen dependent growth of the endometrial glands and stroma outside the endometrial cavity.
The most common symptoms of endometriosis include dysmenorrhea, back pain and chronic lower abdominal pain or CPP that is associated with bladder filling and defecation. As these symptoms mimic those of other diseases or conditions, the clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is complex (Hickey et al., 2014).
Women present to health professionals with a variety of symptoms that may suggest endometriosis, including pelvic pain, painful periods, painful sex, infertility, gastrointestinal and urological problems.
The ovary is the most common site for endometriosis. Spread to the ovary is believed to be lymphatic, although superficial implants may be due to retrograde menstrual flow, because the ovaries are in a dependent part of the pelvis. Lesions can vary in size from spots to large endometriomas.
Endometriosis has been associated with a higher risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD). According to Missmer, the association is likely attributable both to systemic chronic inflammation and endometriosis treatments.
The ASRM classification system is divided into four stages or grades according to the number of lesions and depth of infiltration: minimal (Stage I), mild (Stage II), moderate (Stage III) and severe (Stage IV).
Most of us have cramps during our periods, but women with endometriosis often have debilitating pain. Chronic pelvic pain. Sometimes women have chronic and severe pelvic pain even when they don't have their periods, Christianson says.
An experienced gynecologist may suspect endometriosis based on a woman's symptoms and the findings during a pelvic exam. Currently, the only way to diagnose endometriosis is through laparoscopy – a minor minimally invasive surgical procedure that is done under general anesthesia (while the patient is asleep).
Endo belly occurs when you have endometriosis and your tummy becomes bloated. It is also called endometriosis bloating. Medications and changes to your diet can help ease your symptoms, as well as treating the underlying condition, endometriosis.
What are the risks of untreated endometriosis? Untreated endometriosis can cause significant pain, bloating, excess menstrual bleeding, and digestive distress.
Although endometriosis symptoms can occur as early as the onset of the menstrual cycle, the majority of people do not receive a diagnosis until they are between the ages of 30–40 years old.
Recent studies have reinforced that fatigue is both a common and bothersome symptom among women with endometriosis [6–9]. Endometriosis-related fatigue is commonly accompanied by other symptoms, including menstrual and nonmenstrual pain, anxiety, stress, and irregular bleeding [7–10].
Since lesions can grow in a variety of locations in the body, this may explain why one woman may feel pain on the left side of her pelvis, while another may feel it in her abdomen—the pain often occurs where the lesions are located.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that causes pain and heavy or irregular bleeding. It may also lead to bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. Severe bloating from endometriosis, known as endo belly, can make it feel like you have gained weight. People with endometriosis may gain weight from fluid retention.
Hip pain from endometriosis can start in your back or pelvis and radiate to your hip, buttocks, or legs. You may feel pain, tingling (pins and needles), or numbness. 3 The location of the pain depends on which nerves are affected.