Intense menstrual pain, digestive problems, chronic fatigue... What if it's endometriosis?

Find out the signs that should alert you and how to react.

How to recognize the signs of endometriosis?

Endometriosis... It's a frightening word, but it's still too little known. 

Yet this disease affects around 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. 

Disabling pain, chronic fatigue, digestive problems... The symptoms are varied and sometimes misleading, which often complicates the diagnosis.

So how do you know if you're suffering from endometriosis? What are the warning signs? Let's decipher this often overlooked disease.

What exactly is endometriosis?

Before talking about the symptoms, a quick reminder is in order. Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease in which cells similar to those of the uterine lining (the endometrium) develop outside the uterus. 

These cells react to the hormones of the menstrual cycle, causing inflammation, lesions and sometimes adhesions on various organs.

Imagine your body as a well-kept garden. But with each menstrual cycle, weeds invade places where they shouldn't grow. The result? They interfere with the normal functioning of the whole, creating pain and discomfort.

Warning signs

1. Abnormally painful periods

It's not unusual to feel pain during your period. But when the pain becomes unbearable, confining you to bed or preventing you from leading a normal life, it's not normal. 

Endometriosis often manifests itself as intense dysmenorrhoea, which doesn't subside with a simple painkiller.

➤ To watch out for: acute pelvic pain, sometimes radiating to the back or legs.

2. Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

If sexual intercourse is synonymous with deep, stabbing pain, this is a warning sign. 

These pains may be linked to lesions in the vaginal cul-de-sac, uterosacral ligaments or other sensitive areas.

➤ To watch out for: intense discomfort or pain during or after intercourse.

3. Unexplained digestive or urinary disorders

Bloating, diarrhea, constipation, pain when urinating... Endometriosis is not limited to the gynecological sphere. 

When it affects the bladder or bowel, it can mimic irritable bowel syndrome or cause recurrent urinary disorders.

➤ To watch out for: alternating diarrhoea/constipation, pain when urinating, sensation of a permanently full bladder.

4. Chronic exhaustion and general discomfort

Endometriosis is a constant inflammation that exhausts the body. 

Between the pain, copious blood loss and stress associated with the disease, fatigue can become a daily handicap.

➤ Things to watch out for: intense fatigue even after a good night's sleep, unexplained drops in energy.

5. Difficulties conceiving (infertility)

Some women discover they have endometriosis when trying to have a baby. 

The disease can lead to adhesions and obstructions of the fallopian tubes, making conception more difficult.

➤ To watch out for: no pregnancy after several months of trying without contraception.

Why are these symptoms often ignored?

Many women downplay their pain, thinking that “it's normal to feel pain during periods”. 

Others are misdiagnosed as suffering from functional colopathy, recurrent cystitis or even psychosomatic stress.

The problem? An average delay in diagnosis of 7 years. Meanwhile, endometriosis progresses, impacting more and more on quality of life.

Our opinion on the subject

There's no denying it: there's still a long way to go before this disease is recognized. Fortunately, people are speaking out and research is progressing. But we think it's crucial to listen to your body first and ask for a second opinion if you feel that something isn't right.

Every woman's experience of endometriosis is different, and that's what makes it so complex to diagnose. Yet no one should have to live with chronic pain just because “it's normal”.

So what can you do if you recognize yourself in these signs?

If these symptoms sound familiar, talk to a healthcare professional. A specialized gynecologist will be able to refer you for tests (pelvic MRI, ultrasound, laparoscopy) to make a diagnosis.

The most important thing? Don't ignore pain. It's a warning signal, not an inevitability.

Do you know someone who suffers from painful periods? Share this article to help them better understand what they're going through.

Don't hesitate to read our article: Endometriosis: why is it so difficult to diagnose. If you want to know more about the difficulties of diagnosing this disease.