All period pain can feel severe, so how do you know when it’s more than typical cramps? The difference is usually about impact and pattern.
Signs it could be endometriosis
- Pain that regularly stops you working, studying, or sleeping
- Pain that doesn’t ease with usual pain relief
- Pelvic pain between periods, or pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements, bloating (“endo belly”), and fatigue
- Difficulty conceiving
Why diagnosis is often delayed
Endometriosis is frequently dismissed as “bad periods,” which is why diagnosis can take years. Keeping a detailed pain and symptom log and advocating for referral helps.
What to do
If your pain matches the signs above, see a clinician and ask specifically about endometriosis. Read more in our endometriosis guide.
For readers in United Kingdom
In the UK, much of this care is available through the NHS as well as privately, and UK GDPR gives you rights over your health data, including access and erasure.