A person with endometriosis could have debilitating symptoms that affect their everyday life or no symptoms at all.
The frequency of endometriosis pain varies from person to person.
Some people are constantly in pain, whereas others may only have pain occasionally.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
The severity of endometriosis pain is also individual.
Some experience debilitating pain, while others feel only mild discomfort.
According to the results, the most common endometriosis symptoms besides pain werepainful sex,irregular bleeding, andinfertility.
Historically, this symptom was disregarded as being unrelated to endometriosis.
Myth vs.
Fact: Do People With Endometriosis Always Have Heavy Periods?
Endometriosis is more than a “period condition”; it is a full-body disease.
What Are the First Signs of Endometriosis?
The age at which endometriosis symptoms begin differs from person to person.
Children and adolescents can have endometriosis.
Pain and painful periods tend to be the first acknowledged sign of endometriosis.
However, other symptoms may occur before or alongside pain.
This rare symptom could signifythoracicendometriosis(endometriosis lesions in the chest cavity).
As a result, there is limited research on what chest symptoms of endometriosis feel like.
How Long Do Endometriosis Symptoms Last?
Endometriosis symptoms can last varying lengths of time.
A person’s pattern can also change over time.
It usually becomes more severe over time, or it can be constant and flaring up during menstrual periods.
Most healthcare providers use the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)stages of endometriosisto classify endometriosis.
This system is based on the impact of endometriosis on fertility and has no relation to other symptoms.
For example, someone could be in extreme and constant pain with manybowel symptomsbut be diagnosed as stage 1.
Getting Your Endometriosis Symptoms Validated
If you are experiencing endometriosis symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.
They should listen to your symptoms and concerns and begin adiagnosisprocess that includes ruling out other possible conditions.
Many people with endometriosis have stories of being told “pain is normal” or “tough it out.
What Makes Endo Symptoms Worse?
Certain factors can worsen endometriosis symptoms.
Sometimes, the factors that trigger or worsenflare-upsare unavoidable.
Triggers
There are many possible triggers for endometriosis pain, bloating, fatigue, and other symptoms.
Not everyone will react to every trigger.
Journaling or keeping a record may help you identify your endometriosis symptom triggers.
Instead, pay attention to your symptoms all month long to help identify possible triggers.
This way, you may be more prepared when an endo flare comes.
Medical Treatment for Endometriosis Pain
Everyone’s pain and symptom management plan for endometriosis is different.
Some may be prescribed medications for pain or gastrointestinal symptoms.
Many people report relief from endometriosis symptoms long-term afterexcision surgery.
Getting to a Pain Management Specialist
Surgery isn’t the right answer for everyone with endometriosis.
Many people find they benefit from the skills of apain management specialist, an expert in reducing pain.
Certain factors can influence endometriosis pain and may be out of your control.
Surgery is used to diagnose and treat endometriosis.
2015;15(1):59. doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0213-2
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Adenomyosis.
Signorile PG, Baldi A.The presence of endometriosis in the human fetus.
In: Nezhat CH, ed.Endometriosis in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis and Management.
Springer International Publishing; 2020:205-214.
Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: Fast facts.
2019;23(3):e2019.00029.
2022;2022:e2380700.
Re-visiting their association and further insights into the mechanisms of auto-traumatisation.
An MRI study.Arch Gynecol Obstet.
2018;8(4):e018924.
