Here are five common symptoms you should know about:
1. Gastrointestinal or bladder problems
With symptoms like constipation and diarrhea, a lot of patients mistake their condition for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
"We often have women who come in and have seen a GI specialist or urologist but haven’t been able to find relief, and that’s because they actually have endometriosis and not something like IBS," said Maria Sophocles, an OB-GYN at Women’s Healthcare of Princeton in New Jersey.
Pain during urination or the sudden/unexplained change in frequency of urination can also be important signs in some cases.
2. Trouble getting pregnant
Many women only find out they have endometriosis after they are unable to conceive and opt for an examination to find out why. Between 25 to 50 percent of infertile women are estimated to suffer from endometriosis – may cause internal scarring or inflammation. These complications can prevent the release of eggs, block sperm from entering the fallopian tubes, or harm the development of the embryo.
The condition can only be identified with the help of an invasive test known as a laparoscopy.
3. Pelvic and abdominal pain
Some women may experience long-term pain in their pelvis, lower back, and abdomen which can flare up as soon as their period starts, which will then lead to severe cramps. There is a concern that many women overlook these symptoms. They fail to realize their menstrual pain is above normal levels. This is one of the reasons why endometriosis can face years of delay in being diagnosed.
"The pain could be localized, but it could also cause a shooting pain into the groin, back, or rectum," said Tamer Seckin, a New York City-based gynecologist and co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America.
4. Having sex really hurts
Pain during sexual intercourse is also a common symptom of endometriosis - known as dyspareunia.
"When the penis goes deep, toward the back of the vagina, you might be putting pressure on the ligaments that hold the uterus in place, and those are a hotspot for endometriosis," said Sophocles.
The endometrial tissue may be pulled or stretched during sex, especially during movements like deep penetration.
5. Bleeding occurs in excess
Heavy flow during periods and clots in the period blood could be potential signs. Bleeding can also occur between periods – known as menometrorrhagia. Around a third of women with endometriosis face one or more abnormalities related to bleeding.
This should be brought to the attention of a doctor as it could even be a sign of other problems like hormonal imbalances, vaginal dryness, or cancer.