Endometriosisis a full-body inflammatory disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
Historically, it has been a misunderstood disease thought to affect mainly reproductive organs.
However, endometriosis lesions have been found on every organ, including the bowels.
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In this article, learn more about bowel endometriosis and bowel-related endometriosis symptoms.
This, in turn, may contribute to the notabledelay in diagnosisthat most people with endometriosis experience.
Gastrointestinal symptoms are fairly common in endometriosis and should not be overlooked.
The one exception was that people with bowel endometriosis lesions were more likely to have nausea and vomiting.
Nature of Bowel Endometriosis Pain
Endometriosis can cause significant pelvic and abdominalpain.
However, the pain pattern, location, intensity, and duration differ significantly from person to person.
If your surgeon recommends a hysterectomy for endometriosis, seek a second opinion.
The tests will reveal the most deeply invasive lesions but not superficial endometriosis.
A colorectal surgeon may often present in cases where bowel involvement is highly suspected.
Complications can happen during any surgery, including surgery for endometriosis on the bowels.
Treatment Options for Relief
Excision surgeryis the gold standard for diagnosing and treating endometriosis.
However, excision surgery is not recommended or accessible to everyone.
Your provider may also recommend certain medications or physical therapy to relieve endometriosis symptoms.
Some healthcare providers may prescribe medications to manage symptoms, includingbirth controland pain medications.
These medications do not slow the progression of endometriosis nor reduce the size of endometriosis nodules.
However, they may help reduce pain or other symptoms and improve quality of life.
Summary
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common with endometriosis, regardless of whether lesions are growing on the bowels.
Excision surgery with an endometriosis specialist is the gold standard for diagnosing and treating bowel endometriosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
Most general gynecologists are not experienced enough to appropriately treat endometriosis on the bowels.
Bowel endometriosis is best treated by an endometriosis excision specialist, sometimes in combination with a colorectal surgeon.
It extends from the outer surface (serosa) toward the inner surface (mucosa).
Endometriosis and IBS have similar symptoms.
IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms and exclusion; endometriosis is diagnosed based on surgery and pathology.
Therefore, diagnostic laparoscopy is the only accurate way to differentiate between IBS and endometriosis.
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