10 endometriosis signs you shouldn’t ignore
This post shows you 10 endometriosis signs you shouldn’t ignore.
You know that moment when your »period cramps« feel like PMS and more like a tiny demon carving your uterus like a pumpkin? And you think, »This is just part of being a woman,« while simultaneously googling »normal period pain« at 2 a.m.? Yeah… I’ve been there.
For years, I chalked it up to being dramatic or having »low pain tolerance. But eventually, I realized that not all painful periods are normal, and that my uterus wasn’t being emotional – it was trying to tell me something. Spoiler alert: Sometimes painful periods are a sign that your period pain is more than PMS and could actually be endometriosis.
If you’ve never heard of it – or worse, you’ve been told your pain is »normal« – this post is for you. I’m going to walk you through the signs I wish someone had told me about years ago. Some of the signs in this post I’ve had since the early stages of my teenage years, and some are the signs I know women are battling with.
Long before I was diagnosed with endometriosis, I suspected that I could actually have it. All the symptoms matched. All the boxes were filled. I yet, somehow, I was still shocked when they told me the diagnosis. If you’re wondering if you might have endometriosis, this list of 10 signs you shouldn’t ignore is for you.
Just a disclaimer – I sometimes call my endometriosis »Brenda«. It’s easier being mad at Brenda than my own organs.
10 endometriosis signs you shouldn’t ignore
So what actually is endometriosis?
Before you dive into the endometriosis signs, let’s break down what it actually is. Endometriosis is basically your uterine lining throwing a wild party… in all the wrong places. Medically speaking (while I’m not a doctor, I did research on what endometriosis actually is), it’s when tissue similar to the lining of your uterus starts growing outside your uterus – on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, or even other parts of your pelvic cavity (bladder, colon, Douglas pouch, etc).
The results? Pain, inflammation, painful periods that are not normal, digestive problems, and sometimes infertility. Some people even get something influencers call »endo belly« – a very real, very glamorous form of bloating that can make you look three or more months pregnant when all you ate was yogurt.
An important point: Endometriosis does not always respond to simple treatments like pain relief medication, and symptoms can change from month to month. Recognizing symptoms early can help you seek a diagnosis and management sooner, which is the aim of this post.
Why is it so hard to get a diagnosis?
I already mentioned that I suspected that I had Brenda long before I was diagnosed with it. Why? Because it took me almost 4 years to finally have a diagnosis. And this was after I became loud about my problems, and I wanted to have answers. In reality, my issues started long before that – about 10 years earlier. But like so many women before me, I was being told that »this is normal,« »that everything seems fine,« »all the scans came clear,« and the list goes on and on.
Here’s the plot twist: endometriosis is notoriously hard to diagnose. Symptoms are often mistaken for IBS, ovarian cysts, »normal PMS,« or (my favorite) stress. Plus, a lot of doctors have said the phrase every woman hates to hear: »It’s probably just period pain.«
Studies show women can go years – sometimes a decade – before getting answers. And that’s why knowing the endometriosis signs matters so much.
1. Severe period pain that doesn’t feel normal
Let’s start with the big one: painful periods that are not normal.
These aren’t the mild cramps cured by a cup of tea. These are the cramps that last longer than just one day, radiate in your back, and make you cancel plans. These are »why does my period hurt so bad?« cramps – the kind that make heating pads your best friend and ibuprofen your emotional support animal.
If your period pain feels like you’re losing a fight with a tiny internal chainsaw, that’s a sign.
That being said, it doens’t mean that a painful period automatically means endometriosis. My cramps are manageable (most of the time), I went to school or work (with a full stomach of painkillers), and was still diagnosed with endometriosis.
2. Deep pelvic pain (before, during, or after your period)
If my cramps are manageable, pelvic pain is something completely different. I’m talking about that dull, heavy, chronic pelvic pain that shows up uninvited. Sometimes monthly, sometimes daily, sometimes randomly. Sometimes during ovulation (oh, the agony), sometimes out of the blue while you’re trying to eat your brunch. It feels like your lower belly is being pulled downside and it’s not fun.
This isn’t some soreness from Pilates – it’s the pain that makes you wonder if your pelvis has a secret vendetta.
3. Pain during intercourse (aka dyspareunia)
Not the most pleasant topic, but we’re going there.
If intercourse feels like sharp, dull, deep pain or leaves you wanting to apologize afterward, painful intercourse can be a sign of endometriosis. I once told a friend,» It literally hurts,« only to find out she had the same issue. That was actually the first time that I suspected that I might have Brenda.
Dyspareunia is common, but it’s not normal – and definitely something you should ignore. It can be because of endometriosis or another underlying issue.
4. Digestive chaos (especially around your period)
Welcome to my personal circus: bloating, constipation, occasional nausea, diarrhea – sometimes all in one week. Doctors didn’t find an answer to my problems (all tests came back normal), but it turns out that endometriosis can mimic digestive disorders.
Internet calls the swollen version »endo belly,« and let me tell you… It’s a look. The swollen belly that is making you look pregnant, and it can hurt.
If your gut throws tantrums every month, add that to your symptom list.
5. Heavy bleeding and clots
Not something that I’m dealing with… but if your period feels like a Shakespearean tragedy – dramatic, heavy, clo-filled – that’s worth noting.
We’re talking:
- soaking pads in under 2 hours,
- passing large clots,
- bleeding longer than 7 days.
A heavy period isn’t always Brenda, but many women with endometriosis report heavy bleeding and spotting between periods. Now, that’s something I have.
6. Painful bowel movements or peeing (especially during period)
Awkward? Yes. Important? Absolutely.
As mentioned, endometriosis can affect the bowel or bladder, causing:
- pain when peeing during your period,
- pain with bowel movements,
- blood in stool (rare, but happens),
- intense cramping before »going« (10/10).
7. Lower back pain and leg pain
Another sneaky one. Lower back pain that comes monthly and mimics sciatica pain can be a sign. Sometimes it even shoots down the leg. I have it almost monthly, and let me tell you, it’s a really humble experience.
8. Chronic fatigue
Here’s the fun fact: studies showed that fatigue and endometriosis are very connected. Chronic inflammation, hormone imbalance, drains energy, and living with pain is exhausting. I’m not talking about »oh, I’m tired, I slept only 5 hours«. No, I’m talking about »I feel like I was hit by a truck.«
So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re permanently moving through molasses while everyone else is on a Vespa – girl, same.
9. Infertility or trouble conceiving
Not everyone with endometriosis struggles with fertility – but many do. Until this day, doctors don’t know why some women with endometriosis have fertility problems, and others don’t. It often doesn’t correlate with the stage of endometriosis.
This is actually often how endometriosis gets diagnosed in the first place. It’s a tender topic, and if you’re navigating it, I’m sending you all the love.
10. Mood swings, brain fog, and hormonal chaos
Hormones are wild. And when your body is inflamed and in pain, brain fog can make you forget why you walked into a room or what you were saying mid-sentence (speaking from experience).
Add mood swings and anxiety to the mix, and suddenly everything is harder than it should be.
Here’s what I wish someone had told me sooner:
- pain isn’t a personality trait,
- not all periods are supposed to hurt,
- you’re not overdramatic or weak for seeking answers,
- for many women, endometriosis is manageable with an operation, painkillers, and lifestyle changes.
Talking to a doctor doesn’t mean something is automatically wrong – it means you’re paying attention.
Final thoughts
I hope this list of 10 endometriosis signs tells you more about what endometriosis symptoms look like. Some time ago, one of my friends asked me how to describe endometriosis to someone who doesn’t live with it… and I think this list shows a little bit more how complex endometriosis really is.
But keep in mind that the intensity of symptoms doesn’t always correlate with the stage. Meaning, one with intense pain can have mild endometriosis, and someone without any symptoms can have severe endometriosis.
Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis? What symptoms did you have (or still battling with)? Let me know.
