Pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and painful sex are all common symptoms of endometriosis.
However, the symptoms of the condition, which affects one in ten women of childbearing age in the UK and US, can vary significantly.
They can range from bowl issues and fatigue to difficulty conceiving.
Here MailOnline reveals four of the lesser-known signs of the condition for Endometriosis Awareness Month.
The condition, which affects 176 million people worldwide, causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow outside the uterus, causing inflammation and pain. It can also cause intestinal problems, fatigue, trouble getting pregnant, and painful urination
The debilitating condition, affecting 176 million women worldwide, causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow elsewhere, like the ovaries and fallopian tubes, causing inflammation and pain.
But many struggle to get a diagnosis despite the pain that interferes with daily life.
Bina Mehta, a Boots pharmacist, explained: “Endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can vary so much.
“Some women experience severe symptoms while others do not. And their symptoms can resemble those of other conditions, including period pains.”
bowel problems
Although it is a condition that affects the uterus and is commonly associated with period pains, it can also cause bowel problems.
For this reason, endometriosis is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome due to the digestive problems the condition causes, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation.
Symptoms are caused by endometrial tissue attaching to the intestines, causing inflammation, which nutritionist Dr. Caitlin Hall can lead to symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
She adds that in severe cases, endometrial tissue can cause a blockage in the gut, leading to constipation, nausea, and even vomiting.
Pharmacist Ms. Mehta warns that endometriosis can, in some cases, cause blood in your urine or stool during your period.
She said: “If you think you have endometriosis you should see your GP.
“Although there is no cure, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms, including pain relievers and hormonal drugs.”
fatigue
Fatigue is also a symptom of endometriosis.
The chronic pain and inflammation associated with the condition could, according to Dr. Irem Tezer Ates contribute to this fatigue.
She explained that for many women these symptoms are dismissed and others have trouble spotting the warning signs.
Physical exhaustion can be a debilitating symptom of the condition, affecting women’s daily life, stress levels and sleep.
According to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, the fatigue is believed to be caused by the body’s efforts to eliminate the condition.
Experts say the fatigue is the result of the body trying to fight off the inflammatory toxins caused by the disease.
It hurts to pee
Just as endometriosis tissue can grow in the gut, it can also grow around the bladder and cause irritation.
This is why it can cause pain when urinating.
Bladder endometriosis can be either superficial – when tissue is found on the outer surface of the bladder – or deeper – when tissue is found within the bladder wall or wall.
According to Endometriosis UK, symptoms include bladder irritation, more frequent urination, pain when the bladder is full, occasional blood in the urine and sometimes pain in the kidney area.
However, endometriosis sufferers who have painful urination may not have uterine-like tissue on their bladder, as this could instead be caused by a urinary tract infection — which is more common in endometriosis patients.
Jenny Saft, CEO and co-founder of fertility platform Apryl, said: “Some women with endometriosis experience recurring bouts of thrush, as well as other gastrointestinal infections such as UTIs.
“This could be due to immune system dysfunction: Many people with endometriosis seem to have reduced immunity to other diseases – and thrush is more common in people with a weakened immune system.”
However, she adds that it is not yet known whether reduced immune function contributes to endometriosis or occurs as a result of endometriosis.
problems getting pregnant
Many women with endometriosis have trouble conceiving, but it’s still not clear why.
Due to a lack of research, the links between fertility problems and the condition are not fully known. But doctors believe it could be due to the condition distorting the reproductive organs.
This can result in women having to have surgery or IVF to get pregnant.
But Ms. Saft says it’s a misconception that people with endometriosis can’t conceive naturally at all.
However, she admits that it can be more difficult in people with endometriosis.
She said: “If you get a diagnosis and you’re still hoping to start a family, don’t be discouraged. It is estimated that 60 to 70 percent of women with endometriosis can conceive naturally.
“For those who are struggling to conceive naturally, options include undergoing surgery to remove patches of endometriosis or trying a fertility treatment like IVF.”
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