What Is Endometriosis and What Are the Symptoms?

Women with endometriosis can experience a wide range of symptoms, including pelvic pain and excessive bleeding. Some women have the condition without obvious symptoms, making diagnosis more challenging. It may only be discovered during evaluations for other issues, such as difficulty conceiving. Here is information about endometriosis and its symptoms:

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when tissue that is similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. The misplaced endometrial tissue thickens and bleeds with each menstrual cycle but remains trapped in the body instead of exiting during a normal menstrual period. This can lead to inflammation, scar tissue, cysts, and adhesions. Displaced tissue may also grow on organs like the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of endometriosis range from person to person and are not a strong indicator of the condition’s severity. Women can experience significant discomfort with a small amount of tissue or no discomfort with a large amount of tissue. Some of the symptoms of endometriosis include:

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain is a common indicator of endometrial lesions. These lesions irritate surrounding tissues, leading to burning or stabbing sensations. Pain often centers on the pelvis but sometimes radiates to the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Cramping intensifies around menstruation and can persist through ovulation. Symptoms may also worsen over time as scar tissue builds. Although endometrial lesions cause pain during various points of the menstrual cycle, their symptoms differ from typical period cramps. Women should inform their doctor about the intensity, location, and timing of their pain in relation to their cycle. This information enables the doctor to identify cyclical patterns and make an accurate diagnosis.

Discomfort During Intercourse

Endometriosis lesions on reproductive organs often lead to pain during intercourse, known as dyspareunia. Lesions on the uterus, ovaries, and cervix are compressed during penetration, causing stabbing pelvic pain as they press against the vaginal walls or surrounding tissue. This pain can persist for hours after intercourse until inflammation subsides. Spotting or bleeding after sex may also occur if lesions are present on the cervix.

Heavy or Irregular Periods

In some women with endometriosis, the thickening of the uterine lining leads to heavier-than-average bleeding. Patients may also experience spotting between cycles as lesions shed tissue out of sync with menstruation. Passing clots larger than a quarter can signal the need for medical evaluation.

Digestive Issues

Endometrial lesions may affect intestinal and bladder functions. Implantation of extra uterine tissue on the intestines triggers digestive pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation in some women. Stomach pain that worsens with menstruation is another indicator of endometriosis. Nearby lesions may also irritate the bladder, causing pain during urination.

Unexplained Infertility

Endometrial lesions and the resulting inflammation can interfere with conception and pregnancy. Blockages may prevent sperm from reaching the ovulated egg by obstructing the fallopian tubes. Scar tissue formations from previous surgeries to remove lesions also contribute to infertility. Lesions near the ovaries may further prevent egg release and inhibit fertilization. With surgical resection of abnormal tissue and ongoing medical management, many patients can still achieve healthy pregnancies.

How Can I Get Diagnosed?

Diagnosing endometriosis involves reviewing medical histories, evaluating symptoms, and conducting physical exams and tests. Some women also require a laparoscopy. This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the doctor to view the pelvic organs directly and check for endometrial lesions. BCL6 testing is another option for identifying endometriosis. This test checks for the BCL6 protein marker, which is associated with inflammation of the uterine lining and endometriosis. Women can ask their doctors about this test if they have undiagnosed pelvic or abdominal pain and infertility issues.

Test for Endometriosis Today

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where lesions develop outside the uterus, causing pain, inflammation, and potential fertility issues. Treatment includes pain management, hormonal therapies, and surgery to remove lesions. If you have symptoms of endometriosis, ask your doctor about further testing to identify the condition.