Symptoms of Endometriosis

As we may all be familiar with classic symptoms of endometriosis the signs and the findings of endometriosis are dependent on physician evaluation.
Not all women will have all of the following symptoms, however if you are exhibiting any of these symptoms and think you may have endometriosis, please consult your doctor.

Symptoms of Endometriosis

•     Chronic or intermittent pelvic pain
•     Painful menstruation
•     Cramping
•     Aching
•     Constant discomfort
•     Nausea
•     Vomiting
•     Gastrointestinal cramping
•     Bloating
•     Gassiness and flatulence
•     Diarrhea
•     Constipation (particularly around menstruation)
•     Rectal pain
•     Blood in the urine
•     Urinary frequency, retention or urgency
•     Urinary tract difficulties
•     Painful intercourse
•     Back pain
•     Leg pain
•     Painful bowel movements
•     Fatigue
•     Infertility, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy

The disease may masquerade as other disorders such as

•     Appendicitis
  
•     Ovarian cysts
•     Bowel obstruction
•     Colon cancer
•     Diverticulitis
•     Ectopic pregnancy
•     Fibroids
•     Inflammatory bowel disease
•     Ovarian Cancer
•     Pelvic inflammatory disease
•     Sexually transmitted disease

Unfortunately, women and girls often try to "manage" the pain for years with painkillers and other medications, but these only mask symptoms of the disease. Patients are sometimes misled to believe that the only long-term solution is removal of all female reproductive organs - a myth. Endometriosis is not cured by removal of the reproductive organs. This dangerous misconception in the medical field is responsible for countless, needless hysterectomies performed each year.