Where and how to identify endometriosis
The most common sites for endometriosis
Endometriosis has been found on every organ of the body!
Most often, but not exclusively, endometriosis is found on the:
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tissues that hold the uterus in place (ligaments)
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the outer surface of the uterus
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vagina
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cervix
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bowel
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Bladder
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Rectum
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Lungs
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The Pouch of Douglas
The most common types of pain experienced by patients
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Migraines
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Breast pain
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Cycle pain
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Ovulation pain
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Painful sex
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Pain after sex
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Pain moving bowels
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Pain urinating
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Shoulder pain
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Pain laying down
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Abdominal pain
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Lower back pain
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Sciatic pain
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Pain down legs and knees
The NHS includes Endometriosis in the Top 20 most painful conditions
The most commonly complained about symptoms
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Mood swings
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Brain Fog
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PMS
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Insomnia
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Fatigue
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Anxiety
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Feeling cold
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Night sweats
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Food Intolerances
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Vomiting / Nausea
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Constipation / Diarrhea
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Endo Belly (unexplained swelling of the lower abdomen, see below)
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Allergies / Seasonal allergies
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Low blood sugar
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Low Magnesium
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Low Iron
Endo Belly
Extract from Clair Dempsey's Photovoice study
The symptoms
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"These two pictures of me were taken 10 hours apart. The picture on the left was taken at 10:30 pm. My stomach has dramatically swollen, and my waist measures 32 inches.
The picture on the right was taken at 8:80am the following morning. I measured my waist again, which had shrunk to 28 inches."
"Nothing out of the ordinary had caused this swelling. It is just a symptom that comes with endometriosis. The endo belly is not only uncomfortable but also embarrassing and humiliating. To ballon and swell where you look pregnant every night, the discomforting bloating hardly makes you feel desirable.
The irony is that one of the few visible symptoms of endometriosis make you look like the thing you can't be because of it."