Symptoms of Endometriosis

A common symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the abdomen, lower back, and pelvic areas. The amount of pain a woman feels is not linked to how much endometriosis she has. Some women have no pain even though their disease affects large areas, or there is scarring. Some women, on the other hand, have severe pain even though they have only a few small areas of endometriosis.

General symptoms of endometriosis can include (but are not limited to):

• Extremely painful (or disabling) menstrual cramps; pain may get worse over time

• Chronic pelvic pain (includes lower back pain and pelvic pain)

• Pain during or after sex

• Intestinal pain

• Painful bowel movements or painful urination during menstrual periods

• Heavy menstrual periods

• Premenstrual spotting or bleeding between periods

• Infertility (not being able to get pregnant)

Also, women who have endometriosis may have gastrointestinal symptoms that are like those of a bowel disorder, as well as fatigue.