Endometriosis pain

Endometriosis is a common condition where tissue similar to the lining of your womb (endometrium) starts to grow elsewhere and attaches to other organs, such as your ovaries and fallopian tubes. This can cause severe period pain, as well as chronic (long-term) pain outside of your periods and fertility problems. 

What does endometriosis pain feel like?

Endometriosis pain can feel like very painful period cramps. You may also have other symptoms including:

Pelvic pain

As endometrium tissue grows elsewhere in your pelvis, it can cause pelvic pain.

Back pain

Endometrium tissue can adhere to your lower back and front of your pelvis, causing back pain.

Leg pain

Endometrium tissue can grow on or around your sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, down your legs and to your toes. This can cause leg pain, which may feel sharp, stabbing, throbbing, dull or like a twinge or leg cramp. It may also make it difficult to walk comfortably and stand up quickly.

Pain during sex

Endometrial tissue can cause scarring, which results in the formation of nodules that hurt when moved or touched. These nodules can develop in your womb, entrance to your womb (cervix) or pelvis, causing sharp pain during sex, either in your vagina or abdomen.

Painful bowel movements

Endometrial tissue can grow between your vagina and bowels. This is called rectovaginal endometriosis and can cause sharp pain, as well as: 

• Diarrhoea
• Difficulty urinating
• Irritable bowels
• Pain when opening your bowels

Symptoms of endometriosis pain

Endometriosis can cause a range of symptoms, including: 

• Anaemia
• Extremely painful cramps
• Gastrointestinal symptoms — this includes:
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Food intolerances
• Nausea
• Headaches and difficulty concentrating
• Symptoms that affect your reproductive system — this includes:
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Heavy periods
• Ovarian cysts
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting in between your periods

Getting a diagnosis for endometriosis

The symptoms of endometriosis vary and also overlap with several other conditions. This makes it difficult to diagnose. According to Endometriosis UK, it takes around eight years from the start of symptoms to getting a diagnosis of endometriosis. 

The endometrial tissue that grows outside the womb often can’t be detected by a sonogram, ultrasound scan or MRI scan. A diagnosis is often only confirmed after a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a laparoscopy.

Finding relief from endometriosis pain

There are steps you can take to manage your endometriosis symptoms yourself, including: 

• Applying a heat pack to relieve abdominal, back and pelvic pain 
• Exercising — light to moderate exercise may reduce the spread of endometrial tissue outside your womb
• Keeping a food diary to determine if certain foods worsen your symptoms (eg bloating)
• Taking over-the-counter painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory drugs