What are the First Signs of Endometriosis?
Affecting about 11% of females, endometriosis is a hormonal inflammatory condition where estrogen-dependent uterine tissue forms somewhere else in the body, usually somewhere in the pelvic region, or in any of the spaces between the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. A way to remember endometriosis is that “endo” means inside and “metrium” means uterus. The extra tissue causes inflammation which leads to a lot of pain and infertility.
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Estrogen is a growth hormone responsible for the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system. It is released in high amounts during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle which is the first 2 weeks leading up to ovulation. Estrogen is released from the ovaries, fat tissue, and adrenal glands because it has a connection between fertility and body fat composition. Estrogen plays an important role in endometriosis because estrogen levels that are elevated show a correlation to the worsening of the disease. Here are 12 things making your endometriosis period pain worse.
Here are 12 symptoms that can be each one of the reasons for what are the first signs of endometriosis:
1. Severe Pain
Severe pain is one of the most common answers for the question ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’. This pain originates in the pelvic region and can persist at varying intensities of the month based on hormones. The 3 most common activities that cause pain are periods, sex, and bowel/urination movements. Pain from periods can last the full duration of menstruation, and the difference between endometriosis period pain and normal period pain is that those with endometriosis can not cope with the pain using ibuprofen. Pain from sex is caused by adhesions that form where the extra tissue lies. The adhesions are growths of connective tissue and are our body’s way of protecting us from the ‘foreign’ endometrial tissue, though the adhesions can cause us even more pain in the process. These adhesions cause pain during urination and bowel movements too when the adhesion is attached in the bowels rather than the regular pelvic region.
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2. Long or Heavy Periods
Another common symptom when you think ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’ is heavy or long periods. This is classified by excreting more than 80 mL of blood per cycle (16 regular tampons or pads), a duration longer than 7 days, needing to change protection overnight, or having blood clots the size of a quarter or bigger. These heavy and long periods are signs of estrogen dominance. Studies have shown benefits to endometriosis period pain when patients suppress estrogen levels back to normal. This is because the endometrial tissue contains a higher amount of estrogen beta receptors on it which is why estrogen dominance can be worsening endometriosis period pain.
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3. Bladder Problems
Bladder problems can be another one of the answers to the question ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’ Bladder problems can include excessive urgency to use the bathroom, uncontrolled accidents, or pain during urination. This is because the bladder is covered in a mucous layer that will protect it from having irritants or solid particles from entering the bladder. In those with endometriosis, this mucous protectant is flawed and will allow ions and certain solids to enter the bladder which can be difficult to pass and can cause urgency even when the bladder is not completely full.
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4. Diarrhea
Endometrial tissue found outside the uterus can grow and put pressure on the bowels to cause gastrointestinal discomfort, but also, the tissue can grow in the bowels itself. This can cause irritation and the possibility for quick excretion of the bowels which causes diarrhea. This is why diarrhea can be another one of the parts of the answer to what are the first signs of endometriosis.
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5. Constipation
On the opposing side, the endometrial tissue growth mentioned in the previous paragraph can also cause constipation, and this another answer to the question ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’. For some people, this tissue can cause irritation to the bowels which makes the contents exit quickly, but for others, the tissue can cause the bowels to hold the contents for longer before it exits.
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6. Abdominal Bloating
Abdominal bloating is another one of the answers to the question ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’ because bloating is positively correlated with gastrointestinal discomfort and issues. Bloating can occur when there is a build-up of gas in our gut causing our skin to expand and for us to feel larger than we actually are, but bloating also occurs when we have an imperfect salt water balance in our body. This imbalance can pool more water into our tissues making us look puffy. Studies have shown that women with endometriosis have increased water retention due to inflammation.
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7. Nausea
Nausea is another one of the answers to ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’ due to the gastrointestinal issues from inflammation. Additionally, nausea has been shown to be caused by changes in appetite. The pain from endometriosis can enhance or suppress cravings and the tastes of food which can cause nausea to arise.
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8. Vomiting
In extreme cases of nausea, this results in vomiting, unfortunately. Pelvic pain in women with endometriosis can experience vomiting due to gastrointestinal changes, extreme pain, and appetite changes. Due to the fact that your guts are so close to your pelvic region, it is no surprise that pain and inflammation from the reproductive organs can cause feels of nausea which lead to vomiting.
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9. Fatigue
Another one of the answers to ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’ is fatigue. Fatigue is caused by an influx of cortisol resulting in feelings of weakness, tiredness, and low energy. In those with endometriosis, they have high amounts of inflammation. As a response, your adrenal glands produce a lot of cortisol, which can lead to HPA (hypothalamus-progesterone-adrenal axis) dysregulation. This results in decreased production of progesterone which results in estrogen dominance.
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10. Low-Grade Fever
A low-grade fever is any temperature below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of fever can be another answer to the question ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’. It is caused by the overgrowth of the endometrial tissues that can limit the function of neighboring organs like the liver, kidneys, and the gut. Additionally, a low-grade fever can be caused by a small infection in the gut from intestine permeability due to inflammation.
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11. Bleeding Between Periods
Intermenstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods is another answer to the question ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’. This is caused by low progesterone levels due to estrogen dominance. Progesterone is necessary for the full development of the endometrial lining for a normal period. When progesterone is low, the full lining may not develop and will cause late spotting in between menstruation.
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12. Infertility / Recurrent Miscarriage
Lastly, infertility and miscarriage are both answers to the question ‘what are the first signs of endometriosis?’. Failed fertilization and pregnancy in endometriosis are due to the low progesterone levels. Progesterone means to promote pregnancy, so if these levels are low, the body doesn’t think we are ready to reproduce and this is how complications arise in fertility.
TAKE AWAY MESSAGE:
There are several first signs of endometriosis, with the most prominent being severely painful or heavy periods. If you’re looking to understand the root causes of your hormone symptoms, check out my hormone testing packages HERE.
