Dysmenorrhoea (or painful periods)

Pain is undoubtedly the first symptom of endometriosis. It is generally pelvic pain that occurs before, during or between periods. The pain can vary from one woman to another.

You will feel it in particular at the back of the uterus, just at the level of the pelvis. In concrete terms, it manifests itself as a sensation of electric shock or burning in the lower abdomen, very often radiating to the legs or lower back.

Dysmenorrhoea or painful periods can have several origins and the symptoms that accompany them are just as diverse: nausea, vomiting, fever, migraines, etc. In general, to relieve them, you can take anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen, Antadys®), antispasmodics (Spasfon®) or natural treatments based on plants, essential oils or herbal tea.

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Menorrhagia (or heavy periods)

Endometriosis can cause abnormal bleeding which will manifest itself as longer and heavier periods. Menorrhagia or heavy periods are said to occur when :

  • the woman loses a large volume of blood, which may consist of clots,
  • the bleeding lasts for more than 7 days,
  • the woman loses more than 80 ml of blood during each menstrual cycle, having to change sanitary protection very regularly.

Recurrent pelvic pain

Endometriosis can also cause chronic pelvic pain that can last for more than six months. According to Inserm, 40% of women who have frequent pelvic (or ovarian) pain suffer from endometriosis.

The causes of pelvic pain are numerous and can be more or less benign. It is strongly advised to see a doctor when these pains are frequent or accompanied by other symptoms.

Dysmenorrhoea or painful periods can have several origins and the symptoms that accompany them are just as diverse: nausea, vomiting, fever, migraines, etc. In general, to relieve them, you can take anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen, Antadys®), antispasmodics (Spasfon®) or natural treatments based on plants, essential oils or herbal tea.

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Unusual bleeding outside
the menstrual period

Endometriosis can cause painful contractions in the uterus and bleeding between periods (if they are regular and abundant, they are called metrorrhagia; on the other hand, if the bleeding is occasional and light, it is called spotting).

According to health professionals, this bleeding is caused by adenomyosis: a form of internal endometriosis that is very rare in young women, but recurs between the ages of 35 and 40. It particularly affects the uterine muscle.

Pain during sexual
intercourse (Dyspareunia)

Some women experience pain during sexual intercourse. In medical jargon, this is called dyspareunia.

According to gynaecologists and obstetricians, the cause of this pain can be multiple: recent childbirth, mycosis, psychological blockage, the beginning of the menopause, ovarian cyst, etc.

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Urinary disorders

If you suffer from endometriosis, you may experience pain when urinating.

This pain may feel like a burning sensation, which may lead the patient to believe (wrongly) that it is a urinary tract infection, and it may also be the cause of the pain you feel during defecation: you may also see blood in your stools. These signals should alert you to a possible case of endometriosis.

Back pain during menstruation

In severe cases, endometriosis that has spread can affect the ureters and block the flow of urine to the bladder, causing back pain.

When it cannot go to the bladder, the urine will have no choice but to accumulate in the kidney, causing it to malfunction.

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Shoulder pain

In rare cases, the lesions may be located far away from the uterus. This is the case, for example, when they occur in the area of the diaphragm, which can lead to pain in the lower ribs during menstruation.

This pain can then spread to the shoulders. The lesions of superficial endometriosis are usually deposited in the lower areas.

Infertility

According to scientific studies, 50% of women with superficial or advanced endometriosis experience infertility, and the condition is usually associated with not being able to conceive.

However, this is not always the case and you should seek advice from a health professional if you think this may be the case for you.

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Certain digestive system
disorders (constipation, diarrhoea)

Certain pains associated with bowel movements can also be a sign of endometriosis.

During menstruation, the endometriosis will become inflamed and cause an acceleration of the intestinal transit, resulting in periods of diarrhoea and constipation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medically, you can relieve endometriosis by following a treatment based on analgesics (Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), Naprosyn® or aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol®) prescribed by your doctor. Hormonal treatments are also available, and surgery (conservative or total) may be considered in some cases.

Finally, there are natural treatments (based on plants, certain physical exercises such as yoga, traditional Chinese medicine, or vaginal sauna) whose effectiveness is more or less proven.

Yes, endometriosis can occur as early as adolescence, especially with the pain of the first period, which can actually hide the symptoms of this disease. If your daughter has pain during her period, it is best to go and see a doctor. If it is detected early, the treatment of endometriosis is much more effective.

If this is the case, she is immediately placed on treatment by her doctor, who takes into account the course of the disease before prescribing medication to relieve the pain.
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Do you suffer from endometriosis? Read our article on endometriosis treatments.

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