There are many reasons why you may be experiencing abdominal pain, from minor issues to long-term diseases. It can be difficult to figure out what could be the cause of your pain but this is why you should always turn to your gynecologist for help. Your abdominal pain may just be caused by endometriosis, one of the most commonly diagnosed gynecological conditions.

What is endometriosis?

This female disorder is characterized by an overgrowth of uterine tissue whereby the tissue can actually develop on the ovaries, pelvis or fallopian tubes. This tissue, regardless of where it is growing, reacts the same way that regular uterine tissue does. It will thicken, deteriorate and bleed during menstruation; however, because this tissue is not supposed to grow on other reproductive structures there is no way for this tissue to be released. This ultimately leads to scar tissue on these organs.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

One of the most common symptoms is abdominal pain that gets worse during menstruation. You may notice this pain before your period and it may last a few days past your period. The pain may be so severe that it radiates to your lower back.

Your period may also be heavier than normal periods and you may experience breakthrough bleeding between periods.

Women often don’t realize that they have endometriosis until they have difficulty trying to conceive and come in for an evaluation. Other symptoms of endometriosis include pain during intercourse, bloating, nausea and fatigue, which often flare-up during your period.

When to seek care?

If you are experiencing any symptoms that are indicative of endometriosis it’s important that you seek medical attention right away. The sooner you seek care and treatment the better. Endometriosis if often treated with a combination of medications, therapy, and surgery. If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, we will discuss your treatment options to help you determine which ones are right for you.

If you are dealing with unexplained abdominal pain it’s important that you turn to an OBGYN that you trust. If you do have endometriosis it’s crucial to get a diagnosis as soon as possible so we can provide you with the treatment you need to feel better.