Could I Have Endometriosis?

No woman eagerly anticipates “that time of the month.” Most of us deal with mood swings, bloating, and cramps, which are never fun. However, women with endometriosis often find menstruation especially unbearable.

During a typical menstrual cycle, the lining inside your uterus—the endometrium—thickens and then sheds to exit the body.

In women with endometriosis, this lining grows outside the uterus, often around the ovaries or below the uterus in an area called the posterior cul-de-sac (Douglas pouch). As it builds up and breaks down, it causes minor bleeding within the pelvis. This can lead to pain, inflammation, swelling, and scar tissue.

Endometriosis can result in a very painful and challenging process.

If you think you might have endometriosis, know that you are not alone. The condition affects hundreds of thousands of women each year.

Symptoms of Endometriosis

There are five common symptoms of endometriosis.

1. Painful periods. Most of us experience cramps during our periods, but women with endometriosis may feel unbearable pain and discomfort.
2. Chronic pelvic pain. Sometimes women experience severe and persistent pelvic pain even outside of their menstrual cycles.
3. Painful intercourse. Also known as dyspareunia, this common symptom is linked to endometriosis located beneath the uterus. During penetration, women may feel intense, localized pain.
4. Ovarian cysts. Known as endometriomas or chocolate cysts, these cysts are another hallmark of endometriosis. They can become large and painful, often requiring removal.
5. Infertility. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse. About 10% of women experiencing infertility have endometriosis. This condition is a leading cause of infertility because it can result in scarring, damage, and inflammation in the fallopian tubes, which are essential for natural conception. Studies also show that endometriosis can affect egg quality and reduce the number of eggs in the body.

However, the above symptoms are not exclusive to endometriosis. Painful periods do not always indicate endometriosis; they can sometimes be due to a separate condition called dysmenorrhea. Pelvic pain can also result from scar tissue, previous infections, or a history of appendicitis. Irritable or inflammatory bowel syndromes may also cause pelvic pain.

How is Endometriosis Diagnosed and Treated?

If you have any of the above symptoms, make sure to see your gynecologist. Women struggling to conceive may be referred to a reproductive endocrinologist or a fertility specialist.

To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may perform a minimally invasive laparoscopy if needed. During this procedure, a thin, lighted tube is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. This allows your doctor to view your pelvic organs and take a small tissue sample for diagnosis.

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