One in 10 women is affected by the painful disease: These 5 symptoms may be signs of endometriosis

Diagnosing endometriosis is complicated because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. It is a very heterogeneous disease, explains Antonella Martino, assistant doctor in gynecology and obstetrics at the Endometriosis Center of the University Hospital of Geneva (HUG). “This means there are different types with different clinical presentations for each patient.”

However, there are some symptoms that require medical examination to detect the disease and take the necessary precautions.

“The first warning sign of endometriosis is menstrual pain, which is so severe that it impairs quality of life and interferes with our daily activities to the point of absence from school or work,” explains the expert. However, since pain is perceived subjectively, it is difficult to decide whether it is normal or not. Antonella Martino explains that a doctor should be consulted as soon as menstrual pain does not respond to usual painkillers or prevents affected people from exercising.

Endometriosis symptoms are especially common in young girls who experience severe pain during their first menstrual period. “A girl who vomits during her menstrual period or feels the need to lie in bed or lock herself in her room during her menstrual period must be examined.”

Symptoms usually occur during menstruation, but some women may experience them during other periods as well. “In some cases, symptoms eventually become chronic and occur outside of the cycle,” says Martino.

Chronic pain occurs primarily in women who suffer from tissue buildup near other organs, such as the bladder or colon. “These patients may experience severe pain when urinating or defecating, especially during menstruation,” explains the specialist. “Another notable symptom is pain during sexual intercourse, both during superficial and deep penetration.”

The doctor points out that it is sometimes difficult to diagnose endometriosis because the pain can overlap with symptoms of other diseases, such as a urinary tract infection. “This is especially true in women who have endometriotic nodules in the bladder and who have had multiple urinary tract infections. If these are accompanied by a painful period, it is important to consult your doctor for further examination.”

As with pain, it is not always easy to decide whether menstrual flow is normal. “Heavy menstrual bleeding that requires changing protection every two hours or more should also be examined,” explains Martino. Heavy bleeding in endometriosis is often associated with severe pain.

The expert also recommends making an appointment with a gynecologist if your menstrual symptoms suddenly change or become much more severe after stopping hormonal contraceptives.

The effects of endometriosis on fertility are not clearly understood. However, Antonella Martino points out that 30 percent of women who have difficulty having children are affected by this disease.

“Endometriosis is often diagnosed when coming off the pill, and unfortunately many women looking to start a family discover they are affected by the disease.”

Impairment of fertility often depends on the severity of the disease and may go unnoticed. Even a few painless, undetectable tissue deposits can be enough to cause infertility. Therefore, when there is difficulty in getting pregnant, the possibility of endometriosis is always taken into consideration. But hope isn’t entirely lost: “It’s entirely possible to get pregnant naturally if you have endometriosis, and there are a number of options that can increase your chances of having a child.”