Endo Symptoms

Endometriosis symptoms can make everyday activities challenging. People with endo can miss out on school, work, and social activities because of painful and difficult symptoms. Their experience of endo can also impact their relationships and mental health.

Adolescents with endometriosis symptoms are 10 times more likely to miss school than their peers who don’t have endo. And adults lose up to 11 hours on average every week from endo symptoms.

Common endo symptoms

Pelvic pain

Pelvic pain is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis. Many people with endo have pelvic pain during menstruation. Some people have pelvic pain when they ovulate, at other times of the menstrual cycle, or even every day. Some people with endo also experience chronic pelvic pain, which is pelvic pain that happens often over a long period of time.

Pain with sexual activity

People with endometriosis may have pain during and after sexual activity. This type of pain is called dyspareunia. Most commonly with endometriosis, a person may have pain with deep vaginal penetration (deep dyspareunia).

Some people with endometriosis may have pain at the entrance to the vagina (superficial dyspareunia). This can be caused by conditions other than endometriosis.

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Bowel symptoms

Constipation
Diarrhea
Abdominal bloating
Nausea
Vomiting
Painful bowel movements

Bladder symptoms

Bladder pain
Pain with urination
Urgent need to urinate
Frequent urination

Fertility issues

About 1 in 3 people with endometriosis have trouble getting pregnant. About 1 in 26 people with endometriosis will experience recurrent pregnancy loss – 2 or more miscarriages in a row.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a symptom that is often ignored and downplayed even though it has a big impact on a person’s quality of life.

Symptoms of extrapelvic endometriosis

People with extrapelvic endo may have different symptoms depending on where their endometriosis is. A common symptom is pain during menstruation in the part of the body where extrapelvic endometriosis is located.

Continue learning about endo

There are several ways that doctors can get information that will help them make a diagnosis of endometriosis. Your symptoms, priorities, and specific needs will help you decide with your doctor how to approach investigating your symptoms.

Learn about pathways to diagnosis

Find expert help for endometriosis

Here is a directory of endometriosis surgeons practising in Canada.

Find an endo surgeon

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What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a complex chronic disease that is challenging to manage and live with. But you are not alone in dealing with this disease.

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Management options

While there is no known cure for endometriosis, there are many different management options to consider, including surgery, and medication. Holistic approaches, like how you eat, manage stress, and process difficult emotions can also help.

Know Endo

Endometriosis symptoms can make everyday activities challenging. People with endo can miss out on school, work, and social activities because of painful and difficult symptoms. Their experience of endo can also impact their relationships…

Menopause: A guide for people with endometriosis

The purpose of this resource is to provide information about what you may experience as you approach menopause and after menopause if you are living with endometriosis. We will also discuss how symptoms of endometriosis are usually treated in postmenopausal people, and special health concerns for people with endometriosis who are postmenopausal.

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Extrapelvic endometriosis: A guide for people living with endometriosis

The purpose of this resource is to describe different types of extrapelvic endometriosis (when endometriosis growths are found in areas of the body outside the pelvis). This resource also discusses how extrapelvic endometriosis is diagnosed and treated.

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Mental health: A guide for people with endometriosis and those who support them

Endometriosis affects every aspect of your life. It can interfere with going to school or work, cause difficulties with relationships, negatively impact body image and self-esteem, and limit your ability to carry out daily activities. With this impact on quality of life, your mental health may also suffer.