Endometriosis can be “masked”: Symptoms that can appear even after your cycle

For a long time, endometriosis has been considered mainly a gynecological problem, linked to menstruation, pain and fertility. But recent studies are showing that this disease can be far more complex and affect other parts of the body as well.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside of it, causing lesions and cysts. In some cases, these can appear even outside the pelvic area, while the inflammation linked to the disease can be accompanied by a range of symptoms that aren’t always easy to connect to endometriosis.

Not just period pain

Severe pain during menstruation is among the best-known signs of endometriosis, but it’s not the only one. The disease can also be accompanied by pronounced fatigue, constipation, frequent urination, heartburn, as well as pain in the back, hips or legs. In more advanced cases, endometriosis-related lesions have been identified in organs such as the lungs, spleen and bowel — and even in the area around the heart. This shows the disease’s impact can be much wider than usually thought.

Endometriosis and other health issues

A study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, which analyzed data from nearly 40,000 patients, identified hundreds of symptoms and health conditions that appeared more often in women with endometriosis. Among them were migraines, asthma, autoimmune diseases, gastroesophageal reflux and vitamin D deficiency. These findings don’t necessarily mean endometriosis directly causes all of these problems, but they point to a link researchers are trying to understand better.

Why does this happen? Experts are examining several possible mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, hormonal changes, heightened pain sensitivity and genetic factors. At the same time, various molecular markers in blood and saliva are being studied, in the hope they may one day help diagnose the disease earlier.

A better understanding of these symptoms could help endometriosis be identified sooner, so women get the right care. After all, this is a condition that shouldn’t be viewed only through the lens of the menstrual cycle or fertility, since its impact can be much broader.