Question: What are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?
Answer: Women who have endometriosis often experience considerable pain and discomfort before receiving a proper diagnosis. While each woman may not experience the same symptoms, women who have endometriosis generally experience some of the following:
- Severe dysmenorrhea or cramps during menstruation
- Chronic pelvic pain that occurs throughout the menstrual cycle
- Mittelschmerz, a pain associated with ovulation
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Infertility
- Bowel or bladder symptoms, either with or without abnormal uterine bleeding or pain
- Painful bowel movements
If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, women who have endometriosis often see many different doctors before receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis. If you don't feel your symptoms have been properly diagnosed, you always have the right to seek a second opinion.
Source:
National Guidelines Clearinghouse; Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG); “The investigation and management of endometriosis;” London (UK): Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG); 2006 Oct. 14 p.; http://www.guidelines.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=11380&nbr=005917&string=endometriosis; accessed 03/12/08
