Symptoms of Endometriosis vs. IBS
The symptoms of endometriosis and IBS have some overlap.
For example, both conditions can cause abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, or trouble having bowel movements.
But there are also some differences between the two.
Nusha Ashjaee / Verywell
Endometriosis may cause painful urination, IBS does not.
And while IBS can cause mucus in stool, that is not present with endometriosis.
For example, you might notice your symptoms tend to peak right before you bleed.
Symptom Triggers
Your IBS symptoms might be worse at certain times in your menstrual cycle, too.
That said, some people with endometriosis also notice that stress and diet seem to affect their symptoms.
Testing
There are no specific blood tests or scans to diagnose IBS.
The condition is diagnosed by excluding all other possible causes of your symptoms.
This can help identify patterns that may help you manage both conditions more effectively.
Can Endometriosis Treatment Help With IBS?
IBS managementandendometriosis treatmentrequire very different approaches.
You may find that certain changes inyour dietand lifestyle that are recommended for IBS end up helping both conditions.
Summary
Endometriosis can cause GI symptoms similar to those of IBS, including abdominal pain and cramping.
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