Endometriosis - Complications

Symptoms

Not all women with endometriosis experience symptoms. When symptoms occur, pain is the main one. Many women with endometriosis have chronic pain in the pelvic area (the lower part of the trunk of the body). The pain is often a severe cramping that occurs on both sides of the pelvis, radiating to the lower back and rectal area and even down the legs. The pain may be continuous or it may come and go. Pain tends to worsen over time.

The severity of the pain varies widely and does not appear to be related to the extent of the endometriosis itself. In other words, a woman can have very small or few implants and have severe pain, while those with extensive endometriosis may have very few signs of the disorder except for infertility. Large cysts can rupture and cause very severe pain at any time.

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Pain caused by endometriosis is associated with:

• Menstruation. Women with endometriosis typically have heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, and very painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrheal). Women may also experience pelvic pain at other times during their menstrual cycle and they may have spotting or bleeding between periods. Menstrual pain may worsen over time.
• Sexual Intercourse. Endometriosis can cause pain during or after sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).
• Urination and Bowel Movements. Pain during defecation or urination may be especially severe during menstrual periods. Women may also experience other gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea, constipation, or bloating.

Review Date: 07/26/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).