Common Symptoms of Endometriosis

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Endometriosis is a complex and multifaceted disease that can manifest in various ways, making it challenging to diagnose and treat Colak et al., 2024. The most common symptoms of endometriosis include:
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Pelvic pain

This is the most frequent symptom of endometriosis, causing functional disability and compromising the quality of life Masciullo et al., 2021. Pelvic pain can be cyclic or acyclic, and its severity does not always correlate with the stage of endometriosis Masciullo et al., 2021.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation is a common symptom of endometriosis, and it can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities C McNamara et al., 2022.

Dyspareunia

Painful intercourse is another common symptom of endometriosis, which can affect a woman's quality of life and relationships C McNamara et al., 2022.

Dysuria

Painful urination is a symptom of endometriosis, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the bladder or ureters Konrad et al., 2023.

Dyschezia

Painful bowel movements are a symptom of endometriosis, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the bowel Konrad et al., 2023.

Bloating and abdominal pain

Women with endometriosis may experience bloating and abdominal pain, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the abdominal cavity Voltolini Velho et al., 2023.

Nausea and vomiting

Some women with endometriosis may experience nausea and vomiting, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the abdominal cavity Voltolini Velho et al., 2023.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of endometriosis, which can be caused by the chronic inflammation and pain associated with the disease Voltolini Velho et al., 2023.

Heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding

Women with endometriosis may experience heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the uterus Leone Roberti Maggiore et al., 2024.

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Less Common Symptoms of Endometriosis

In addition to the common symptoms of endometriosis, some women may experience less common symptoms, including:

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Headaches

Some women with endometriosis may experience headaches, which can be caused by the hormonal changes associated with the disease Wójcik et al., 2023.

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Temporomandibular joint pain

Women with endometriosis may experience pain in the temporomandibular joint, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the joint Wójcik et al., 2023.

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Numbness or tingling

Some women with endometriosis may experience numbness or tingling in the legs or feet, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the nerves Colak et al., 2024.

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Incontinence

Women with endometriosis may experience incontinence, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the bladder or ureters Colak et al., 2024.

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Paraplegia

In rare cases, women with endometriosis may experience paraplegia, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the spinal cord Colak et al., 2024.

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Gastrointestinal Symptoms

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Endometriosis can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including:
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Constipation

Women with endometriosis may experience constipation, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the bowel Simons et al., 2024.

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Diarrhea

Some women with endometriosis may experience diarrhea, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the bowel Simons et al., 2024.

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Bloating and gas

Women with endometriosis may experience bloating and gas, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the abdominal cavity Voltolini Velho et al., 2023.

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Nausea and vomiting

Some women with endometriosis may experience nausea and vomiting, which can be caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the abdominal cavity Voltolini Velho et al., 2023.

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It is essential to note that the symptoms of endometriosis can vary widely from woman to woman, and not all women with endometriosis will experience all of these symptoms J Drabble et al., 2021.
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References

Cited References:
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Colak, C., P Chamie, L., Youngner, J., C Forney, M., A Luna Russo, M., Gubbels, A., M VanBuren, W., & Feldman, M. (2024). Mri features of pelvic nerve involvement in endometriosis.. Radiographics : A Review Publication Of The Radiological Society Of North America, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.230106
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Masciullo, L., F Viscardi, M., Piacenti, I., Scaramuzzino, S., Cavalli, A., G Piccioni, M., & G Porpora, M. (2021). A deep insight into pelvic pain and endometriosis: a review of the literature from pathophysiology to clinical expressions.. Minerva Obstetrics And Gynecology. https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-606X.21.04779-1
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C McNamara, H., C Frawley, H., F Donoghue, J., Readman, E., Healey, M., Ellett, L., Reddington, C., J Hicks, L., Harlow, K., Peter A W Rogers, P., & Cheng, C. (2022). Peripheral, central, and cross sensitization in endometriosis-associated pain and comorbid pain syndromes.. Frontiers In Reproductive Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2021.729642
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Konrad, L., M Fruhmann Berger, L., Maier, V., Horné, F., M Neuheisel, L., V Laucks, E., A Riaz, M., Oehmke, F., Meinhold-Heerlein, I., & Zeppernick, F. (2023). Predictive model for the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis based on clinical parameters.. Journal Of Clinical Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12134231
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Voltolini Velho, R., Werner, F., & Mechsner, S. (2023). Endo belly: what is it and why does it happen?-a narrative review.. Journal Of Clinical Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12227176
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Leone Roberti Maggiore, U., Chiappa, V., Ceccaroni, M., Roviglione, G., Savelli, L., Ferrero, S., Raspagliesi, F., & Spanò Bascio, L. (2024). Epidemiology of infertility in women with endometriosis.. Best Practice & Research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2023.102454
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Wójcik, M., Goździewicz, T., Hudáková, Z., & Siatkowski, I. (2023). Endometriosis and the temporomandibular joint-preliminary observations.. Journal Of Clinical Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12082862
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Simons, M., Cline, M., Gubbels, A., King, C., Lembo, A., & Lupe, S. (2024). Endometriosis is associated with higher healthcare utilization and upper gastrointestinal symptoms.. Clinical Gastroenterology And Hepatology : The Official Clinical Practice Journal Of The American Gastroenterological Association. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2024.03.005
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J Drabble, S., Long, J., Alele, B., & O'Cathain, A. (2021). Constellations of pain: a qualitative study of the complexity of women's endometriosis-related pain.. British Journal Of Pain. https://doi.org/10.1177/2049463720961413
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Relevant but not cited:

Sakiris, A., Naik Fraz, E., Rajandran, A., Smith, J., Allen, B., Pillai, S., Kakkadasam Ramaswamy, P., & John, S. (2024). Rare presentations of small bowel endometriosis.. DEN Open. https://doi.org/10.1002/deo2.395
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Yu, V., McHenry, N., Proctor, S., Wolf, J., & Nee, J. (2023). Gastroenterologist primer: endometriosis for gastroenterologists.. Digestive Diseases And Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-022-07674-7
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Ek, M., Roth, B., Bengtsson, M., & Ohlsson, B. (2021). Gastrointestinal symptoms in women with endometriosis and microscopic colitis in comparison to irritable bowel syndrome: a cross-sectional study.. The Turkish Journal Of Gastroenterology : The Official Journal Of Turkish Society Of Gastroenterology. https://doi.org/10.5152/tjg.2020.19583
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Latif, S. & Saridogan, E. (2023). Endometriosis, oocyte, and embryo quality.. Journal Of Clinical Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12134186
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Spencer, S., Lazaridis, A., Grammatis, A., & Hirsch, M. (2022). The treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility.. Current Opinion In Obstetrics & Gynecology. https://doi.org/10.1097/GCO.0000000000000806
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Metzemaekers, J., Lust, E., Rhemrev, J., Van Geloven, N., Twijnstra, A., Van Der Westerlaken, L., & W Jansen, F. (2021). Prognosis in fertilisation rate and outcome in ivf cycles in patients with and without endometriosis: a population-based comparative cohort study with controls.. Facts, Views & Vision In ObGyn. https://doi.org/10.52054/FVVO.13.1.007
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Boucret, L., Bouet, P., Riou, J., Legendre, G., Delbos, L., El Hachem, H., Descamps, P., Reynier, P., & May-Panloup, P. (2020). Endometriosis lowers the cumulative live birth rates in ivf by decreasing the number of embryos but not their quality.. Journal Of Clinical Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9082478
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Cofini, V., Muselli, M., Petrucci, E., Lolli, C., Pelaccia, E., Guido, M., Marinangeli, F., Fabiani, L., & Necozione, S. (2024). Factors associated with chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis: a national study on clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles, quality of life, and perceptions of quality of care, during the covid-19 pandemic.. Women's Health (London, England). https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057241227361
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J Bartley, E., J Alappattu, M., Manko, K., Lewis, H., Vasilopoulos, T., & Lamvu, G. (2024). Presence of endometriosis and chronic overlapping pain conditions negatively impacts the pain experience in women with chronic pelvic-abdominal pain: a cross-sectional survey.. Women's Health (London, England). https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057241248017
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I Karp, B. & Stratton, P. (2023). Endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain.. Med (New York, N.Y.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medj.2023.02.006
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C Green, I., Burnett, T., & Famuyide, A. (2022). Persistent pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis.. Clinical Obstetrics And Gynecology. https://doi.org/10.1097/GRF.0000000000000712