Notice
Road and parking lot construction in Madison, Wis. may result in travel delays and route changes to UW Health clinic and hospital locations. Please plan accordingly.Read more
Road and parking lot construction in Madison, Wis. may result in travel delays and route changes to UW Health clinic and hospital locations. Please plan accordingly.Read more
January 20, 2023
One of the most common causes of pelvic pain and infertility in women is endometriosis. Read on for information from the women’s health experts at UW Health on the symptoms and stages of endometriosis. You’ll learn when to see a gynecologist who specializes in pelvic pain and minimally invasive surgery for complex pelvic disease.
Endometriosis is a long-term (chronic) inflammatory condition where tissue that usually grows inside the uterus grows outside the uterus. The most common places where endometriosis occurs are the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the bowels and the areas surrounding the uterus. Rarely, endometriosis can also occur on the bladder and outside of the pelvis, like the lungs, skin, brain, or diaphragm.
Symptoms of endometriosis can begin before the first menstrual period and remain throughout a lifetime, even into menopause. Ask your primary care physician for a referral to a pelvic health specialist if you have common signs and symptoms of endometriosis, including:
Pelvic pain
Pain with bowel movements or urination
Pain with intercourse
Infertility
If you have endometriosis, the most common symptom you may experience during your period is pain (dysmenorrhea). Other symptoms include:
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Nausea
The location, amount, depth, and size of the endometrial tissue determine the stage of endometriosis. Pain level does not reflect the stage of endometriosis. Depending on the extent of the spread of tissue, and pelvic adhesions (scar tissue), the stage of endometriosis could be:
Stage 1: Minimal
Stage 2: Mild
Stage 3: Moderate
Stage 4: Severe
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and where they take place to help diagnose endometriosis. Depending on the stage of your endometriosis, your gynecologist may recommend:
Hormone therapy – May reduce pain and growth from endometriosis
Pain medication – May reduce pain
Health psychology – This may include behavioral strategies to help manage the stress of a chronic condition
Surgery – This could include removing endometriosis implants and preserving your uterus and ovaries or a hysterectomy (removes uterus) and oophorectomy (removes ovaries)
Fertility treatment – Stimulates ovaries to make more eggs to help you conceive
If you have endometriosis, there are many strategies to help you cope with pain. Find comfort with:
Preventing constipation by eating a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of water
Sleep hygiene to improve sleep quality
Regular exercise
Rest, relaxation, and meditation
Using a heating pad on your abdomen
Warm baths