Endometriosis: Symptoms and Where to Get Help
Endometriosis is a long-term condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the womb, most often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. It affects around one in ten women and people assigned female at birth in the UK, yet it is frequently overlooked and dismissed for years. Recognising the symptoms is the first step towards better day-to-day control.
What is endometriosis?
Each month the lining of the womb thickens and is shed as a period. In endometriosis, similar tissue also settles in other areas of the pelvis. It responds to the same hormonal cycle, so it thickens, breaks down and bleeds each month, but the blood has nowhere to go. That causes inflammation, scarring and often pain. The tissue is most commonly found on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes and the pelvis, though it can appear elsewhere too.
The main symptoms
Symptoms vary a great deal between people. Some notice little at all, while others are significantly affected. The most common complaints are listed below.
| Symptom | What it can feel like | When to mention it |
|---|---|---|
| Pelvic pain | A deep ache or sharp pain in the lower tummy, often worse around the period | If it stops you sleeping, working or going about your day |
| Painful periods | Cramps that painkillers do not touch, sometimes with very heavy bleeding | If period pain is getting worse over time |
| Pain during or after sex | Discomfort deep in the pelvis rather than at the entrance | If it makes intimacy difficult or distressing |
| Bowel and bladder symptoms | Pain opening the bowels, bloating or urgency around the period | If these happen repeatedly and track with your cycle |
Fatigue, lower back pain and pain when urinating also feature. No single symptom is unique to endometriosis.
Why diagnosis can take time
In the UK, the average time from first symptoms to a diagnosis is around eight years. Period pain has been normalised for so long that many assume their experience is simply how periods feel, and symptoms can overlap with other pelvic conditions. Keeping a diary of symptoms, when they happen and how severe, can help your doctor see the pattern.
How endometriosis is diagnosed
There is no simple blood test. A GP will listen to your history, may examine internally and can arrange an ultrasound scan. The only way to confirm the diagnosis for certain is a laparoscopy, a keyhole operation in which a camera looks directly at the pelvis, and many prefer to try treatment first before deciding to have it.
Treatment and management
Treatment aims to control pain, shrink the tissue or remove it, and there is no single right answer. Options include hormonal contraception to lighten or stop periods, pain relief and surgery to remove deposits. The best choice depends on whether you are planning a pregnancy, how severe your pain is and what you want your periods to do. Always check with a pharmacist or GP before changing how you manage your symptoms.
Living with endometriosis
Alongside medical treatment, many people find heat packs, gentle exercise such as yoga or swimming, and pacing activity during flare-ups genuinely useful. Fertility is affected for some but not all, and discussing pregnancy plans early with a specialist leaves you the most options.
Where to get help
Start with your GP, who can refer you to a gynaecologist if needed. Charities such as Endometriosis UK offer helplines, local support groups and factsheets. You can also learn more about PCOS and why periods can be painful on the Adderall Blog Pharmacy blog.
Endometriosis is common and treatable, and you do not have to accept severe pain as normal. Keeping a symptom diary and asking for a referral can help you get the care you deserve. For further reading on what causes irregular periods, browse the women's health section of the site.