​Early Symptoms of Endometriosis: 7 Warning Signs Women Should Know by Samantha Bowick

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a disease that affects at least 176 million women worldwide. Endometriosis is characterized as having tissue similar to the endometrium – the tissue that lines the uterus – in other places such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels and pelvic wall, among others. This tissue should normally be expelled by the body, but with endometriosis, it is unable to exit, causing severe pain and other symptoms. Here are seven signs that a woman may have endometriosis and should consult a specialist:

• Period pain that is not characterized as cramping. This is pain that makes you miss work, school, events and forces you to lay in bed.
• Heavy periods.
• Painful intercourse.
• Painful bowel movements and diarrhea or constipation.
• Pelvic pain even when you don’t have your period.
• Nausea/vomiting/bloating.
• Infertility/hormone imbalances.

All women who have endometriosis do not necessarily have all these symptoms; however, if you experience one or more of these symptoms regularly, consider seeing a specialist to rule out the possibility of endometriosis. Learn more at HormonesMatter.com.

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