WHERE IS ENDOMETRIOSIS PAIN FELT?
Location of endometriosis lesions can affect your symptoms
Endometrial lesions can grow in a variety of locations in the body. This may explain, for example, why one woman may feel pain on the left side of her pelvis, while another may feel it in her abdomen—the pain often occurs where the endometriosis lesions are located.
LARGE INTESTINE
Some symptoms may include:
- Abdominal bloating
- Pain during bowel movements
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Rectal bleeding during menstruation
OVARIES
Some symptoms may include:
- Pain from an ovarian cyst called an endometrioma
BLADDER
Some symptoms may include:
- Urine that contains blood
- Pain above the pubic bone during urination
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate
The location of endometrial lesions can affect symptoms
The specific symptoms a woman with endometriosis experiences may be a result of where her endometriosis is located.
Expand the for symptom information
Endometriosis lesions are most commonly found in the pelvic area on organs such as:
- Ovaries
- Fallopian tubes
- Bladder
- Bowels
- Intestines
- Rectovaginal septum
- Perineum
Some lesions can even form their own nerves—another reason there can be pelvic pain outside of the period. Over time, lesions can form scar tissue or adhesions between organs—meaning they stick together—which can cause even more pain.
Rarely, lesions can be found in areas further away from the pelvic area.
References: 1. Liu JH. Merck Manuals. Professional Version. Gynecology and obstetrics. Endometriosis. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/endometriosis/endometriosis. Updated February 2019. Accessed January 8, 2020. 2. Liu JH. Merck Manuals. Consumer Version. Women’s Health Issues. Endometriosis. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/endometriosis/endometriosis. Updated February 2019. Accessed January 8, 2020. 3. Fischer JR. APGO Educational Series on Women’s Health Issues. Diagnosis & management of endometriosis: pathophysiology to practice. Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics; 2012. 4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Frequently asked questions. FAQ013. Gynecologic problems. https://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq013.pdf?dmc=1. Updated October 2012. Accessed January 8, 2020. 5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice bulletin no. 114: management of endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;116(1):223-236.
