Endometriosis Symptoms

Endometriosis symptoms vary widely, and sometimes do not occur at all. Symptoms can include:

• Pelvic pain, especially around the time of menstruation
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Sleep problems
• Cyclical abdominal pain
• Intermittent diarrhea and constipation
• Painful or difficult urination
• Blood in the urine

Infertility and Endometriosis

Endometriosis rarely causes an absolute inability to conceive, but it can contribute to infertility both directly and indirectly.

Treatment

Treatment options for endometriosis include:

• Watchful Waiting. Delaying treatment may be most appropriate for women with mild endometriosis or those who are approaching the age of menopause.
• Drugs. Hormonal drugs are used to reduce endometrial implants. These drugs include oral contraceptives, progestins, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, and danazol. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen may help with pain relief.
• Surgery. Conservative surgery approaches, such as laparoscopy and laparotomy, remove endometrial implants and cysts but do not remove reproductive organs. Conservative surgery can help improve fertility. Hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, may be recommended in severe cases of endometriosis, but it does not necessarily cure the condition.