Endometriosis Health Center

Some women with endometriosis don't have symptoms. Other women have symptoms that range from mild to severe. Symptoms may include:

• Pain, which can be:
  • Pelvic pain.
  • Severe menstrual cramps.
  • Low backache 1 or 2 days before the start of the menstrual period (or earlier).
  • Pain during sexual intercourse.
  • Rectal pain.
  • Pain during bowel movements.
• Infertility may be the only sign that you have endometriosis. Between 20% and 40% of women who are infertile have endometriosis.¹
• Abnormal bleeding. This can include:
  • Blood in the urine or stool.
  • Some vaginal bleeding before the start of the menstrual period.
  • Vaginal bleeding after sex.

Symptoms are often most severe just before and during your menstrual period. They get better as your period is ending. Some women, especially teens, have pain all the time.

Several other conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to endometriosis. These conditions include painful periods, adenomyosis, and uterine fibroids.