Kidney endometriosis is a rare but serious form of endometriosis that occurs when endometrial tissue grows on or around the kidneys or ureters.
Symptoms may include chronic pelvic pain, lower back or flank pain, blood in the urine, urinary problems, and painful periods, though some women have no symptoms.
Because it can silently damage kidney function, early diagnosis is critical—even if symptoms seem mild.
Treatment may include hormonal therapy or surgery, with minimally invasive options available to remove endometriosis and protect kidney health.
Endometriosis is a common women’s reproductive health issue, affecting 10% or more of women between the ages of 15-44.
However, kidney endometriosis is rare. Kidney endometriosis accounts for only 1% of urinary tract endometriosis, representing only 1-4% of endometriosis diagnoses.
Even though the condition is rare, you should still be aware of the warning signs and know what to do if you have any endometriosis symptoms.
What is kidney endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a reproductive health issue that occurs when the endometrium — the tissue that forms inside your uterine cavity each month during your menstrual cycle — grows outside of your uterus.
This painful health issue usually affects other reproductive organs such as your ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, or outside the womb. However, it can also affect other pelvic and abdominal organs, including your kidneys, bladder, colon, etc.
Kidney endometriosis is a deep infiltrating endometriosis that can interfere with kidney function and your overall health. It occurs when endometrial lesions form on your kidney tissue.
It can form cyst-like growths or a fibrous layer surrounding your kidneys. You can also develop the condition on your ureters — the tubes connecting your kidneys to your bladder called ureteral endometriosis.
When untreated, endometriosis of the urinary tract can cause severe health consequences, including blockages, kidney failure, or kidney loss.
What does endometriosis on the kidneys feel like?
Kidney endometriosis symptoms often feel like endometriosis in general. For example, chronic pelvic pain is the most common symptom. With kidney endometriosis, you may also have low back pain on one or both sides of your body.
You might also experience:
Pain in the lower back or legs
Hematuria (blood in the urine)
Difficulty urinating
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Severe menstrual cramping
Menstrual cycle abnormalities
Painful sex
Pain during urination or bowel movements
Intestinal pain
Heavy bleeding or spotting between periods
Digestive problems
It’s also possible to have no symptoms. Physicians and medical researchers believe that endometriosis often goes undiagnosed either because a person doesn’t experience symptoms or believes their pain is normal.
Let’s be clear — chronic pain that interferes with your life is not normal and shouldn’t be ignored.
How is endometriosis on the kidney diagnosed?
You should make an appointment with the experienced team at Maiden Lane Medical if you have any concerns about endometriosis. Many reproductive health issues cause similar symptoms, and a definitive diagnosis is critical to identifying the best treatment to restore your health.
Your gynecologist begins by reviewing your symptoms and medical history. Then, they perform a pelvic exam and order lab tests, including blood work and urinalysis.
Depending on what they learn during your initial exam, your physician may order diagnostic imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to examine your reproductive organs, kidneys, and other pelvic and abdominal organs more closely.
Your gynecologist may also suggest a cystoscopy. During this test, your doctor inserts a tiny camera into your urethra and bladder to look for abnormal tissue, inflammation, or other signs of disease. In some cases, you may need a histopathologic exam involving a biopsy of your kidney.
Your doctor will recommend a personalized treatment plan depending on the severity of your symptoms and your overall condition. In addition, they may prescribe hormonal treatment, such as oral contraceptives or human gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) receptor agonists.
However, surgery may be the most effective treatment option, especially if the lesions on your kidneys increase your risk of ureter blockages or permanent kidney damage or failure.
Maiden Lane Medical specializes in precise gynecological surgery, including radical endometriosis resection. This safe procedure removes endometrial tissue (adhesions) and scar tissue from the affected organs, eliminating the root cause of your pain and other symptoms.
The practice uses minimally invasive surgical techniques, including laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery, whenever possible. This approach minimizes some of the risks associated with surgery and reduces scarring and the amount of time you need to recover.
What pain can be mistaken for kidney pain?
Kidney pain is often mistaken for back pain. However, suppose your pain is accompanied by discolored urine, blood in the urine, painful urination, or increased urge or frequency of urination. In that case, you should talk to your doctor about your kidney health.
Additionally, if you have any signs of endometriosis and back pain or other symptoms of kidney problems, you should seek medical help.
Kidney endometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows on the kidney itself or along the ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder). It is considered a form of deep infiltrating endometriosis and can interfere with normal kidney function if left untreated.
How common is kidney endometriosis?
It is very rare. Kidney endometriosis represents only about 1% of urinary tract endometriosis and roughly 1–4% of all endometriosis cases. Despite its rarity, it can have serious consequences if missed.
Can kidney endometriosis cause blood in the urine?
Yes. Hematuria (blood in the urine) can occur, especially if endometriosis affects the ureters or kidney tissue. This symptom should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Can kidney endometriosis be mistaken for back pain?
Yes. Kidney-related pain is often confused with muscle or spine-related back pain. However, if back pain occurs along with urinary symptoms, blood in the urine, or a history of endometriosis, kidney involvement should be considered.
Can kidney endometriosis damage my kidneys?
Yes. If untreated, kidney or ureteral endometriosis can lead to urinary blockages, reduced kidney function, or even kidney failure or loss. Early diagnosis greatly reduces these risks.
