ORiginal Words - Morgan Ersery
Updated May 2023 - Aarti Patel
illustrations - Ellissa Schatz

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that is normally found inside the lining of your uterus (called the endometrium), grows outside of the uterus in places it shouldn’t be like on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the bowels, and other areas. Endometriosis is a common health problem with more than 5 million people affected by it in the United States. 

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Although some people don’t have any symptoms, the most common symptom experienced is intense pelvic pain, which can sometimes be felt before and during your menstrual cycle, during or after sex, or during ovulation. Some people also experience chronic (ongoing) lower belly or lower back pain, heavy or irregular periods, excessive bleeding during your period, pain when pooping and peeing, infertility, and more. Pain from endometriosis can be unnoticeable, mild, or prevent you from getting out of bed in the morning and living a normal life. If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms and want to seek medical help, here are some tips to guide you.

Reaching a diagnosis for endometriosis.

Check in with your period

Since endometriosis stems from tissue in and around your uterus, it’s especially important that you pay close attention to your period to best help your health care provider understand your symptoms. Start by asking yourself the following questions:

1. What was the date of your last period?

2. Are your periods regular or irregular?

3. Do you have bleeding or spotting between periods?

4. How often do you have to change your tampon or pad when your period is the heaviest?

5. Is your pain worse than usual during your period?

Keep a pain diary

Describing your pain and pain levels can help the gynecologist understand what you’re experiencing and the cause of that pain. Pain is something that we do our best to forget about after it is gone, and as a result, we tend not to be very good at remembering the frequency and severity of our pain. 

Keeping a pain diary might be helpful. You can use an endometriosis tracking app to monitor your pain. You can also just use a notebook. It’s recommended to keep a pain diary for at least 1 full month and ideally 3 months to provide a good record of your symptoms.

Use a worksheet to track your symptoms

Want a little more guidance? This worksheet from endometreosis.org can walk you step-by-step through questions your doctor might ask so you can be prepared and confident going into your appointment.

Helpful resources for finding treatment for endometriosis:

There is no cure for endometriosis, but treatment can improve symptoms, prevent disease progression, and preserve fertility. 

Here are some resources to help you navigate finding treatment and care:

Zencape Health: Access virtual care from experts trained in endometriosis, period pain, fibroids, PCOS, and other chronic pelvic conditions.

Endometriosis.org: A non-profit website dedicated to information about endometriosis and treatment.

Center for Young Women's Health: An informational website sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital for young women.

The Endometriosis Association: A self-help organization of women with endometriosis, providers and others interested in the disease.