HealthUnlockedHealthUnlocked
AboutLog in

Experiences with

Endometriosis

Symptoms of endometriosis

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary. Some women are badly affected, while others might not have any noticeable symptoms.

Some common symptoms of endometriosis are:

  • pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain) – usually worse during your period
  • period pain that stops you doing your normal activities
  • pain during or after sex
  • pain when peeing or pooing during your period
  • feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee or poo during your period
  • difficulty getting pregnant

You may also have heavy periods. You might use lots of pads or tampons, or you may bleed through to your clothes.

For some women, endometriosis can have a big impact on their life and may sometimes lead to depression.

Treatments for endometriosis

There's currently no cure for endometriosis, but there are treatments that can help ease the symptoms.

Treatments include:

  • painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol
  • hormone medicines and contraceptives, including the combined pill, contraceptive patch, intrauterine system (IUS) and contraceptive implant, and medicines called gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues
  • surgery to cut away patches of endometriosis tissue
  • surgery to remove part or all of the organs affected by endometriosis, such as surgery to remove part of your colon, or your appendix or womb (hysterectomy)

Your doctor will discuss the options with you. Sometimes they may suggest not starting treatment immediately, to see if your symptoms improve on their own.

Causes of endometriosis

The cause of endometriosis is not known.

Several theories have been suggested, including:

  • genetics – the condition tends to run in families and affects people of certain ethnic groups more than others
  • a problem with the immune system, the body's natural defence against illness and infection
  • endometrium cells spreading through the body in the bloodstream or lymphatic system, a series of tubes and glands that form part of the immune system

But none of these theories fully explain why endometriosis happens.

It's likely the condition is caused by a combination of different factors.

Symptoms of endometriosis include pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain), severe period pain and pain during or after sex.

Treatments for endometriosis include painkillers, hormone medicines and surgery to remove the endometriosis tissue.

It's not clear what causes endometriosis. It may be linked to things like your genes or a problem with your immune system.

Related links

Endometriosis

Treatment

Complications

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

  • Posts

  • Communities

15,475 public posts

endometriosis

hi everyone , I was diagnosed 1 week ago with a large endometriosis 7cmx5 cm on my right ovary . I never heard about this before , and never had any of the symptoms that a patient with endometriosis can have .
hi everyone , I was diagnosed 1 week ago with a large endometriosis 7cmx5 cm on my right ovary . I never heard about this before , and never had any of the symptoms that a patient with endometriosis can have .
micky12 profile image
micky12
in Endometriosis UK
18 days ago

Fibrotic Endometriosis

It said he I have fibrotic endometriosis & my uterus and bladder are in contact with one another - amongst other things. Does anyone know anything about fibrotic endo and what stage this is? Thanks.
It said he I have fibrotic endometriosis & my uterus and bladder are in contact with one another - amongst other things. Does anyone know anything about fibrotic endo and what stage this is? Thanks.
Ethel-Cloud profile image
Ethel-Cloud
in Endometriosis UK
1 month ago

Nuvaring

I wonder if anyone uses nonstop Nuvaring (contraceptive method) for endometriosis. That's what my gynecologist prescribed me, he said endometriosis will stop growing with this. Does anyone know if this actually works?Thanks
I wonder if anyone uses nonstop Nuvaring (contraceptive method) for endometriosis. That's what my gynecologist prescribed me, he said endometriosis will stop growing with this. Does anyone know if this actually works?Thanks
Thena90 profile image
Thena90
in Endometriosis UK
2 months ago
Want to take advantage of all our features? Just log in!
or

Not yet diagnosed - POD obliteration and immobile ovary

All of my other symptoms are in line with endometriosis.
All of my other symptoms are in line with endometriosis.
frozone23 profile image
frozone23
in Endometriosis UK
4 months ago

endometrioma

many suggestions / info on endometrioma & endometriosis would be helpful & appreciated :)
many suggestions / info on endometrioma & endometriosis would be helpful & appreciated :)
Rae248 profile image
Rae248
in Endometriosis UK
20 days ago

Utrogestan and endometriosis

Hi I take Utrogestan 100mgs per day and added the Oestrogel but the endo (I have 2 endometriomas in the one ovary they left behind after total hysterectomy in 2019) was flaring up and my IBS was getting out of hand (wind) so do I increase it to 200mgs?? Does anyone know??
Hi I take Utrogestan 100mgs per day and added the Oestrogel but the endo (I have 2 endometriomas in the one ovary they left behind after total hysterectomy in 2019) was flaring up and my IBS was getting out of hand (wind) so do I increase it to 200mgs?? Does anyone know??
CofG profile image
CofG
in Endometriosis UK
3 months ago

can anyone recommend a clinic in the northwest

hi can anyone recommend a ivf clinic in the north west that specialist in endometriosis.
hi can anyone recommend a ivf clinic in the north west that specialist in endometriosis.
Jade2006 profile image
Jade2006
in Fertility Network UK
4 months ago

progynova, endometriosis and FET

I was wondering if anybody has had any issues whilst on this medication with endometriosis? has it caused flare ups for anyone, or has your pain decreased? I’m seeing there is possibly going to be water retention etc I’m ok with that.
I was wondering if anybody has had any issues whilst on this medication with endometriosis? has it caused flare ups for anyone, or has your pain decreased? I’m seeing there is possibly going to be water retention etc I’m ok with that.
Jodes-2018 profile image
Jodes-2018
in Fertility Network UK
5 months ago

Has anyone been told they found no endometriosis in lap, but ended up having endometriosis and it was missed?

He wasn’t an endometriosis specialist as I’ve read up and saw that that can make a difference in the diagnose. Thanks😊
He wasn’t an endometriosis specialist as I’ve read up and saw that that can make a difference in the diagnose. Thanks😊
Sky342 profile image
Sky342
in Endometriosis UK
4 months ago

Femseven conti patches

I can't get hold of my endometriosis nurse so thought I'd see what anyone on here thinks. I'm really struggling with hrt side effects so thinking of going down the herbal route instead. Thanks for reading X
I can't get hold of my endometriosis nurse so thought I'd see what anyone on here thinks. I'm really struggling with hrt side effects so thinking of going down the herbal route instead. Thanks for reading X
Sheep2 profile image
Sheep2
in Endometriosis UK
3 days ago

Tips for laparoscopy and transcervical resection of fibroids (TCRF)

I have endometriosis and fibroids. I am having two surgeries in a couple of weeks on the same day, laparoscopy and TCRF, and I wonder whether you have any advice as part of pre-operation and post-operation. For instance, do you recommend any herbs or homeopathic remedies?
I have endometriosis and fibroids. I am having two surgeries in a couple of weeks on the same day, laparoscopy and TCRF, and I wonder whether you have any advice as part of pre-operation and post-operation. For instance, do you recommend any herbs or homeopathic remedies?
Pecas profile image
Pecas
in Endometriosis UK
4 months ago

Pregnancy/endometriosis

I've also now spoken to nurse about endometriosis as well and they said after I give birth they will give me 6 months to rebook with them so they can sort it all out and go through operation to remove the endometriosis.
I've also now spoken to nurse about endometriosis as well and they said after I give birth they will give me 6 months to rebook with them so they can sort it all out and go through operation to remove the endometriosis.
nikkimatt2019 profile image
nikkimatt2019
in Endometriosis UK
7 months ago

Had surgery and got a diagnosis

Also what stage is deep endometriosis even if it's in one spot?luckily I didn't have any adhesions
Also what stage is deep endometriosis even if it's in one spot?luckily I didn't have any adhesions
me94 profile image
me94
in Endometriosis UK
7 months ago

IVF meds causing endometrioma growth?

I had actually been told downregulation might calm down my endometriosis, but now the doctor says the stim meds can make them grow. Feeling really down as Gad endometriosis removed last year, and had hoped that might be it.
I had actually been told downregulation might calm down my endometriosis, but now the doctor says the stim meds can make them grow. Feeling really down as Gad endometriosis removed last year, and had hoped that might be it.
ForABabyPanda profile image
ForABabyPanda
in Fertility Network UK
8 months ago

Clinic recommendations

I am 41 next week, have very low AMH due to stage 4 endometriosis and high fsh and only one Fallopian tube.
I am 41 next week, have very low AMH due to stage 4 endometriosis and high fsh and only one Fallopian tube.
Claredav profile image
Claredav
in Fertility Network UK
5 months ago

Wrong Specialist! 😢

So I have been waiting to see an endometriosis specialist for 13 months and then developed a more severe, constant pain that I’ve never had before. This has been going on for almost 3 months now of constant pain and intermittent bleeding, despite being on the Evra contraceptive patches.
So I have been waiting to see an endometriosis specialist for 13 months and then developed a more severe, constant pain that I’ve never had before. This has been going on for almost 3 months now of constant pain and intermittent bleeding, despite being on the Evra contraceptive patches.
Keely88 profile image
Keely88
in Endometriosis UK
8 months ago

leaving endometriosis alone

interested to hear from women what advice they have recieved if they didnt want surgery and just left endometriosis alone (simple pain managed) Are there risks to health, getting worse, affecting other organs? Thanks
interested to hear from women what advice they have recieved if they didnt want surgery and just left endometriosis alone (simple pain managed) Are there risks to health, getting worse, affecting other organs? Thanks
Bondi64 profile image
Bondi64
in Endometriosis UK
9 months ago

Thoracic endometriosis - catamenial pneumothorax

Hey, Does anyone else suffer from thoracic endo? I've had 11 lung collapses in the past year now. I had lung surgery in March which didn't work so they've put my on the progesterone only pill to suppress my periods to give the surgery a bit more time to work. If it doesn't I'll be back under the
Hey, Does anyone else suffer from thoracic endo? I've had 11 lung collapses in the past year now. I had lung surgery in March which didn't work so they've put my on the progesterone only pill to suppress my periods to give the surgery a bit more time to work. If it doesn't I'll be back under the
Ecorc profile image
Ecorc
in Endometriosis UK
9 months ago

Ureterolysis

As well as adhesiolysis and excision of endometriosis (in various forms, e.g., helium plasma coagulation and left sidewall resection), I saw this: [i]Ureterolysis with freeing of ureter for retroperitoneal fibrosis[/i] Is retroperitoneal fibrosis a form of endometriosis?
As well as adhesiolysis and excision of endometriosis (in various forms, e.g., helium plasma coagulation and left sidewall resection), I saw this: [i]Ureterolysis with freeing of ureter for retroperitoneal fibrosis[/i] Is retroperitoneal fibrosis a form of endometriosis?
isabellala profile image
isabellala
in Endometriosis UK
10 months ago

My Endometriosis Story

Hi, my name is Nicole and I’m 28 years old. I was diagnosed with severe Endo about 5 years ago after a Laparoscopy. I had 2 large ‘chocolate’ cysts, 2 subserosal fibrosis and Adenomyosis. Surgery went well, and I’ve been on the contraceptive pill for 4-5 years ever since. I recently came off the pill
Hi, my name is Nicole and I’m 28 years old. I was diagnosed with severe Endo about 5 years ago after a Laparoscopy. I had 2 large ‘chocolate’ cysts, 2 subserosal fibrosis and Adenomyosis. Surgery went well, and I’ve been on the contraceptive pill for 4-5 years ever since. I recently came off the pill
Nicole28 profile image
Nicole28
in Endometriosis UK
11 months ago
  • 1
  • 2
  • ...
  • 100
  • Next page
  • 10
  • 20
  • 30
  • 40
  • 50
  • 60
  • 70
  • 80
  • 90
  • 100
Filter results
Posted in
Sort by
HealthUnlocked
© 2023 All rights reserved.

Company

  • About Us
  • Partner with us
  • Careers

Product

  • Health terms A to Z
  • Communities A to Z
  • Start a Community

Support

  • Contact us