Endometriosis often does not have any symptoms, and when there are symptoms, they are mistaken for irritable bowel movement, constipation, or plain menstrual cramps. Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue lining the inner walls of the uterus attach themselves to tissues outside the uterus. The endometrial tissues swell during menstruation, sometimes causing rectal bleeding, painful periods, pelvic pain, swelling of the abdomen, and nausea.
Because these symptoms are so vague or so similar to other conditions, like ovarian cysts or flatulence, a diagnosis happens - ironically- only when women go to their doctors when they are having trouble conceiving. Almost half the women who have trouble conceiving are assumed to be suffering from endometriosis by infertility doctors. However, endometriosis does not always lead to infertility, and if there is no pain and discomfort and the endometrial tissue is not too widespread, endometriosis treatment may not really be of help - because there might be another cause for infertility.
Because these symptoms are so vague or so similar to other conditions, like ovarian cysts or flatulence, a diagnosis happens - ironically- only when women go to their doctors when they are having trouble conceiving. Almost half the women who have trouble conceiving are assumed to be suffering from endometriosis by infertility doctors. However, endometriosis does not always lead to infertility, and if there is no pain and discomfort and the endometrial tissue is not too widespread, endometriosis treatment may not really be of help - because there might be another cause for infertility.