Identifying the Uncommon Symptoms of Endometriosis

ByNicole Tatlock Leet

Endometriosis is a condition found in women where tissue that resembles endometrial lining grows outside of the uterus, impacting fertility. Some symptoms of endometriosis are milder than others, making it more difficult to detect. The MyReceptiva test is available to help identify endometriosis. Here are several uncommon symptoms of endometriosis:

Bladder and Gastrointestinal Problems

Some uncommon symptoms of endometriosis are similar to gastrointestinal or uterine conditions, which may delay an endometriosis diagnosis. If you are experiencing endometriosis, uterine tissue is able to grow on your bladder. This growth on your bladder causes urinary tract infections. You may also experience more frequent urination during your menstrual cycle. Endometriosis cell swelling is able to cause pain during urination.

Silent endometriosis can result in digestive problems such as bloating. These symptoms are able to be mistakenly attributed to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Other symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea

Tracking when symptoms occur helps you see whether these gastrointestinal symptoms can be linked with endometriosis. If these occur in sync with your menstrual cycle, they are a sign that you are experiencing the condition. Early detection of endometriosis helps prevent more tissue damage and severe symptoms.

Mild Pelvic and Back Pain

Sharp back pain and severe pelvic discomfort are symptoms of endometriosis, and their severity makes them easier to identify. If you are experiencing silent endometriosis, you may experience milder pain symptoms. These include intermittent discomfort in the pelvic area and dull pain in the lower back. The mildness of the symptoms may result in the pain being misidentified as cramps or other abdominal pain. Back pain that does not respond to medication or physical therapy is a symptom of endometriosis.

Period Irregularity and Dyspareunia

Menstrual regularity or irregularity is indicative of reproductive health. Endometriosis symptoms include heavy bleeding and severe period pain. Subtler symptoms include blood spotting that happens between your usual period cycles. Note whether your menstrual cycle lasts slightly longer or shorter than seven days. 

Dyspareunia may be a result of endometriosis. This refers to experiencing pain during or after intercourse. The discomfort can be mild or severe.

Progesterone Resistance and Infertility

Endometriosis is able to result in unexplained infertility, as the tissue growth can spread to the ovaries and ovarian tubes. The growth can cause inflammation that damages reproductive organs. It also causes adhesions and scar tissue from bleeding. Adhesions on the fallopian tubes block eggs from the uterus. 

This condition is able to cause progesterone resistance, which is a hormone that impacts the regulation of menstrual cycles and uterine lining thickness. Progesterone thickens the lining to prepare for an egg. If there is no egg, the progesterone levels drop, and the uterus begins to shed the lining. Progesterone resistance leads to abnormal lining, negatively impacting embryo development. 

These factors affect assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization. Progesterone resistance can prevent the implantation of healthy embryos. More than one failed IVF cycle may indicate endometriosis.

BCL6 Testing for Endometriosis

High levels of BCL6 are a sign of uterine inflammation, and it is used as a marker for endometriosis. MyReceptiva, an endometrial biopsy, identifies BCL6 levels to indicate the likelihood that the patient is experiencing the condition. Within seven to 10 days of ovulation detection, a provider can take a sample of your uterine lining. The lab sends the results back to your provider within seven to 10 days. In the report, the test results are shown as positive or negative. A positive result indicates a greater than 90% chance of endometriosis being detected during a laparoscopy, while a negative result means a less than 7% chance. 

Having this information provides you and your provider with more information to decide on appropriate treatment plans, such as choosing whether to undergo a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that detects endometrial and scar tissue, providing an official diagnosis. Treatment options include: 

  • Laparoscopy: Surgeons can remove endometrial tissue during the surgery.  
  • Hormone treatments: Progestins, oral contraceptives, GnRH agonists, and gonadotropin-releasing agents are able to reduce uterine inflammation.
  • Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking or drug use helps reduce endometriosis symptoms. 

Light exercise and nutritional changes can help increase a patient’s fertility. A nutritionist or fertility specialist is able to make dietary suggestions. These may include increasing whole grain intake, reducing sugar, and taking vitamins or supplements. 

Identify Uncommon Symptoms of Endometriosis

Identifying uncommon symptoms of endometriosis allows you to begin the diagnosis and treatment process, improving fertility and increasing chances of a successful IVF round. The endometrial biopsy can be performed during an Ob-Gyn visit or by a woman’s healthcare provider. Our online resources include a sample report, biopsy collection information, and sample collection information for providers. A free 20-minute phone consultation is available to learn more about the test from a team member. To learn more about MyReceptiva, schedule your consultation today.