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Endometriosis and Constipation

Constipation and irregular bowel movements are common bowel endometriosis symptoms. If you have abnormal bowel movements combined with heavy, painful periods, make an appointment with your trusted gynecologist at Maiden Lane Medical in Manhattan, New York.

Our team can provide an expert diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and restore your reproductive health. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today!

Woman in bathroom with constipation wondering if endometriosis in the cause.

About Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a relatively common women’s reproductive health issue affecting at least 11% of women between the ages of 15-44 years. The condition occurs when endometrial-like tissue – the material that lines the uterus each month – grows on organs and tissue outside the uterus.

Endometriosis most commonly affects other reproductive organs, such as the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and the outside of the uterus. Still, it can also grow on the rectum, bowel, and other pelvic organs.

Causes of Endometriosis

Physicians and medical researchers haven’t identified a definitive cause of endometriosis. Some of the potential contributing factors may include hormonal imbalances, immune system problems, and genetic factors.

Endometriosis Symptoms

Pelvic pain is the hallmark of endometriosis. People who have the condition often have painful periods, painful bowel movements, pain during sex, and chronic pain in the abdomen, pelvic area, and lower back. Constipation and irregular bowel movements are also common symptoms of endometriosis.

How Does Endometriosis Cause Constipation?

When endometrial lesions or scar tissue form on the lower digestive tract, they can create pressure or cause stiffness. Some of the common sites of bowel endometriosis include:

Peritoneum: The lining of the intestines is one of the most common places for endometriosis to be found, causing constipation, painful bowel movements, and the other common signs of bowel endometriosis. 

Posterior cul-de-sac: Also known as the pouch of Douglas, this area is located between the back wall of the uterus and the rectum. When endometriosis forms in this area, the lesions put pressure on the rectum and vaginal canal. 

Rectum: When endometriosis forms on the rectum or bowel walls, it causes severely painful, infrequent bowel movements and, in some cases, rectal bleeding. If lesions develop in the perianal area, they can also cause back pain. 

Colon and small intestine: Endometrial lesions can form on the outer walls of both the small and large intestines, leading to infrequent but painful bowel movements.

Appendix: The appendix is a common site for endometriosis lesions, often contributing to gas, bloating, and abdominal pain

How Can I Tell if My Constipation is Caused by Endometriosis?

Talking to your doctor and having the tests to diagnose and locate endometriosis is the only way to determine if bowel endometriosis is the cause of your other gastrointestinal symptoms. However, if you have other endometriosis symptoms, such as painful periods, painful sex, lower back pain, or abdominal bloating and discomfort, it’s critical to talk to your doctor, as a variety of conditions can cause similar symptoms. 

Bowel endometriosis cases are often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal diseases, as the symptoms of bowel endometriosis are similar to IBS, Crohn’s disease, and appendicitis. 

When Should I Talk to My Doctor?

You should always talk to your doctor if you are experiencing painful stools or severe or chronic pelvic pain. Pain is how your body signals a problem.

Additionally, an abnormal menstrual cycle can be caused by a wide range of issues. A combination of these symptoms should be discussed with your doctor so you can get the treatment you need for relief.

Constipation and irregular bowel movements are common bowel endometriosis symptoms. If you have abnormal bowel movements combined with heavy, painful periods, make an appointment with your trusted gynecologist at Maiden Lane Medical in Manhattan, New York.

Our team can provide an expert diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and restore your reproductive health. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today!

Woman in bathroom with constipation wondering if endometriosis in the cause.

 

About Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a relatively common women’s reproductive health issue affecting at least 11% of women between the ages of 15-44 years. The condition occurs when endometrial-like tissue – the material that lines the uterus each month – grows on organs and tissue outside the uterus.

Endometriosis most commonly affects other reproductive organs, such as the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and the outside of the uterus. Still, it can also grow on the rectum, bowel, and other pelvic organs.

Causes of Endometriosis

Physicians and medical researchers haven’t identified a definitive cause of endometriosis. Some of the potential contributing factors may include hormonal imbalances, immune system problems, and genetic factors.

Endometriosis Symptoms

Pelvic pain is the hallmark of endometriosis. People who have the condition often have painful periods, painful bowel movements, pain during sex, and chronic pain in the abdomen, pelvic area, and lower back. Constipation and irregular bowel movements are also common symptoms of endometriosis.

How Does Endometriosis Cause Constipation?

When endometrial lesions or scar tissue form on the lower digestive tract, they can create pressure or cause stiffness. Some of the common sites of bowel endometriosis include:

Peritoneum: The lining of the intestines is one of the most common places for endometriosis to be found, causing constipation, painful bowel movements, and the other common signs of bowel endometriosis. 

Posterior cul-de-sac: Also known as the pouch of Douglas, this area is located between the back wall of the uterus and the rectum. When endometriosis forms in this area, the lesions put pressure on the rectum and vaginal canal. 

Rectum: When endometriosis forms on the rectum or bowel walls, it causes severely painful, infrequent bowel movements and, in some cases, rectal bleeding. If lesions develop in the perianal area, they can also cause back pain. 

Colon and small intestine: Endometrial lesions can form on the outer walls of both the small and large intestines, leading to infrequent but painful bowel movements.

Appendix: The appendix is a common site for endometriosis lesions, often contributing to gas, bloating, and abdominal pain

How Can I Tell if My Constipation is Caused by Endometriosis?

Talking to your doctor and having the tests to diagnose and locate endometriosis is the only way to determine if bowel endometriosis is the cause of your other gastrointestinal symptoms. However, if you have other endometriosis symptoms, such as painful periods, painful sex, lower back pain, or abdominal bloating and discomfort, it’s critical to talk to your doctor, as a variety of conditions can cause similar symptoms.

Bowel endometriosis cases are often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal diseases, as the symptoms of bowel endometriosis are similar to IBS, Crohn’s disease, and appendicitis. 

When Should I Talk to My Doctor?

You should always talk to your doctor if you are experiencing painful stools or severe or chronic pelvic pain. Pain is how your body signals a problem.

Additionally, an abnormal menstrual cycle can be caused by a wide range of issues. A combination of these symptoms should be discussed with your doctor so you can get the treatment you need for relief.

Find out how our doctors can help you!

Find out how our doctors can help you!

How is Bowel Endometriosis Diagnosed?

When you meet with your doctor, they begin with questions about your symptoms of endometriosis, general health, menstrual cycle, and medical history. They will perform a physical exam, which may include a pelvic exam and Pap smear, to check your reproductive organs and rectum for abnormal growths. 

Your doctor may also order blood tests and urinalysis to check for signs of other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. 

Depending on what your doctor finds during your physical exam and in your lab tests, they may order additional diagnostic tests such as an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), colonoscopy, barium enema, or laparoscopy. These tests allow your doctor to see inside your body and examine your pelvic organs for signs of bowel endometriosis. 

How is Bowel Endometriosis Treated?

Your doctor creates a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and restore your health. Depending on your specific needs, your treatment may include a combination of the following:

How is Bowel Endometriosis Diagnosed?

When you meet with your doctor, they begin with questions about your symptoms of endometriosis, general health, menstrual cycle, and medical history. They will perform a physical exam, which may include a pelvic exam and Pap smear, to check your reproductive organs and rectum for abnormal growths. 

Your doctor may also order blood tests and urinalysis to check for signs of other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. 

Depending on what your doctor finds during your physical exam and in your lab tests, they may order additional diagnostic tests such as an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), colonoscopy, barium enema, or laparoscopy. These tests allow your doctor to see inside your body and examine your pelvic organs for signs of bowel endometriosis. 

How is Bowel Endometriosis Treated?

Your doctor creates a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and restore your health. Depending on your specific needs, your treatment may include a combination of the following:

Diet and Lifestyle

Many endometriosis patients find that lifestyle adjustments can help relieve their symptoms. For example, reducing the amount of red meat and dairy products you consume while increasing your vegetable consumption and physical activity can improve your overall health and provide some symptom relief. Drinking more water and eating more high-fiber foods can also help improve your digestive function.

A woman in kitchen who treated bowel endometriosis by eating a healthy diet.

Diet and Lifestyle

Many endometriosis patients find that lifestyle adjustments can help relieve their symptoms. For example, reducing the amount of red meat and dairy products you consume while increasing your vegetable consumption and physical activity can improve your overall health and provide some symptom relief. Drinking more water and eating more high-fiber foods can also help improve your digestive function.

A woman in kitchen who treated bowel endometriosis by eating a healthy diet.

Medication

Your doctor may also prescribe birth control to regulate your hormones. They may also suggest over-the-counter pain relievers or laxatives to help manage your other symptoms.

Surgical Treatments

In some cases, surgery may be the best option to eliminate your symptoms of endometriosis. Maiden Lane Medical specializes in minimally-invasive, robotic laparoscopic procedures to remove endometrial tissue from pelvic organs.

Depending on your specific condition, our doctors may suggest an endometriosis surgery such as rectal shaving, radical endometrial resection, careful excision surgery, and segmental bowel resection.

Endometriosis patients or anyone with signs of reproductive system diseases should make an appointment at Maiden Lane Medical if they are having bowel issues. Our expert team of doctors can provide a thorough and accurate diagnosis to identify the best treatments to relieve your pain and other symptoms while restoring reproductive health.

Call our office in Manhattan, NY today or schedule your appointment online to learn more about what can be done to alleviate your symptoms!

Medically Reviewed By

Medication

Your doctor may also prescribe birth control to regulate your hormones. They may also suggest over-the-counter pain relievers or laxatives to help manage your other symptoms.

Surgical Treatments

In some cases, surgery may be the best option to eliminate your symptoms of endometriosis. Maiden Lane Medical specializes in minimally-invasive, robotic laparoscopic procedures to remove endometrial tissue from pelvic organs.

Depending on your specific condition, our doctors may suggest an endometriosis surgery such as rectal shaving, radical endometrial resection, careful excision surgery, and segmental bowel resection.

Endometriosis patients or anyone with signs of reproductive system diseases should make an appointment at Maiden Lane Medical if they are having bowel issues. Our expert team of doctors can provide a thorough and accurate diagnosis to identify the best treatments to relieve your pain and other symptoms while restoring reproductive health.

Call our office in Manhattan, NY today or schedule your appointment online to learn more about what can be done to alleviate your symptoms!

Medically Reviewed By

Looking for a doctor that specializes in Endometriosis in New York?
Look no further, contact Maiden Lane Medical today!
Looking for a doctor that specializes in Endometriosis in New York?
Look no further, contact Maiden Lane Medical today!