What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

It is far more than simply painful periods, though dysmenorrhoea (pain with periods) is a common symptom in women with endometriosis. Many women experience dysmenorrhoea, especially adolescents, for which non-surgical management strategies exist. Indeed, it is important to stress that pain is not ok and help should be sought if simple pain relief options (over the counter NSAIDs) are ineffective or your periods are having an impact upon the quality of your life, attendance at school/work and the like.

​ The challenge with identifying endometriosis is that the symptoms can be quite varied and often includes dysmenorrhoea:

debilitating periods - either due to pain, heavy bleeding or both (3 out of 4 patients)

infertility (up to 30% of infertility patients with 10-20% of patients admitted to hospital for endometriosis having a diagnosis of infertility)

abdominal/pelvic pain occurring outside of menstrual bleeding;

"IBS - irritable bowel" type symptoms;

back and leg pains, especially cyclical (with the period);

painful sex;

bladder and/or bowel disturbances

tiredness and mood changes, especially around the time of your period

pelvic muscle spasm/tightening and vaginal discomfort, especially during intercourse