8 Symptoms That Suggest You May Have Endometriosis

Most of us have never even heard of endometriosis (a.k.a. endo) before our GYN throws it out there as a possible reason for those wildly unpleasant symptoms that wake you up every 30 or so days. When getting your period feels like getting hit by a sledgehammer, you very well may be suffering from endo (the implantation of uterine tissue on other organs in the pelvis/body). Here are some other red lights that should flash “endo” in your head.

1. Painful Painful Painful Periods
   For most of us, no period is a fun period. Those three to five to seven days are never anyone’s idea of a good time. However, for women with endometriosis, these days can be debilitating (and they can start about 1–2 days before your period even begins)! The pain that comes with your periods can put you on the sidelines from work, from exercise, from socializing, and from life. Lying in your bed doubled over in pain is nobody’s idea of a good time. Medically painful periods are called dysmenorrhea. We GYNs ask about it all the time because it gives us a better idea about what you are going through when you get your period. It is the most common symptom associated with endometriosis (nearly 80% of women with endo report it). Therefore, if you are one of the unlucky ladies who languishes on the couch during your time of the month, it’s time to share this info with your doctor.
2. Chronic Pelvic Pain (a.k.a. Pain All the Time)
   When you are singing the “pain, pain go away, come again another day” song, without any relief in symptoms, no matter where you are in your cycle, there is a pretty good chance that you have endometriosis. The pain can be sharp or dull, focal or diffuse—bottom line, it can be pretty variable. Chronic pelvic pain is seen in about 70% of all women with endo. It can cause a serious roadblock in one’s ability to function both at home and in the office and therefore needs to be cleared ASAP.
3. Pain with Intercourse
   Women who have endo complain of pain with intercourse (medically termed dyspareunia) fairly frequently (about 45% of women with endometriosis report this symptom). The pain reported is generally a sensation of pain in the pelvis with intercourse (not pain with insertion or vaginal pain). As expected, it can have a serious impact on a woman’s quality of life, and while many women hold back in talking to their GYNs about sex, this is something you should definitely share.
4. GI Distress
   Endometriosis is not picky in whom she decides to annoy. Lesions are not only limited to the reproductive system but also set up shop on the bowel (intestines). Where they lay their roots dictates what symptoms are felt. GI symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, bowel cramping, and difficulties going to the bathroom. Bleeding from the rectum can also occur. For some women, the GI symptoms can be worse than the GYN ones; it can be pretty intense.
5. Infertility
   One of the biggest criminals in the infertility battle is endo. Endo can have a seriously negative effect on a woman’s ability to conceive—it can be a pretty formidable challenge for us in the Land of Fertility. The good news is that our treatments can also throw a pretty strong punch, and they can usually knock it out. Pregnancy is most certainly not impossible in women who have endo.
6. Ovarian Cysts
   The most common site for endo to set up shop is in your ovaries. While the implants can be superficial and select, they usually form a cyst(s). The cyst (medically termed endometrioma) can cause some serious pain. It can also eat away at your eggs and reduce your egg quantity; this translates into what we call diminished ovarian reserve (low egg quantity). While surgery can help with cyst size, it can further hamper your egg reserve. Make sure that you consult with a surgeon who is skilled in endometriosis surgery before you make a date for the operating room. There is no frequent flyer program for surgery. Therefore, you want to limit the number of times you go to the operating room.
7. Pain with Urination
   Although this may come as a shock, endometriosis can hang out in your urinary tract system. When it pitches a tent, it can cause urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urinary pain, and even retention. Not fun. These symptoms can be scary and confusing, especially when you are totally in the dark about the connection between the urinary system and the GYN system. The two are pretty close, and as a result, one can rub off on the other pretty easily. Definitely let your GYN know what your urinary system is up to.
8. The Odd Ones
   Endo could be a US spy—it can slide and slink its way into almost every corner of the body. It has been reported in the lungs, the arm, the thigh, the diaphragm, and even surgical scars! So while it is unlikely to hide out in these spots, any atypical symptoms should be reported to your doctor, as it might break the code as to what’s going on in other parts of your body.

Put them all together, and what do you get? No, not bibidi bobidi boo, but rather a pretty bad case of the blues. The symptoms of endometriosis can take quite a toll on your quality of life. They can cause you to withdraw from friends, family, and all sorts of fun. Don’t suffer in silence. There are not only thousands of women who are in a similar situation but also several physicians who are well equipped to treat your pain. We just need to know what’s bothering you, how bad it is, and how best to fix it. Together, we can knock this out!