Endometriosis symptoms

Overview

Endometriosis is uterine-like tissue growing outside the uterus, causing pain and often infertility. Average diagnostic delay is 7 years.

Symptoms to watch for

• Severe menstrual cramps
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Painful sex
• Painful bowel movements or urination during periods
• Heavy periods
• Infertility

What else could this be?

• Adenomyosis
• Fibroids
• IBS
• Interstitial cystitis

How it's diagnosed

Clinical suspicion + imaging (transvaginal US, MRI). Definitive diagnosis is laparoscopic.

Treatment

First-line: NSAIDs and hormonal suppression (combined pills, progestin-only, IUD, GnRH modulators). Surgery for definitive diagnosis and severe disease.