2025 endometriosis excision surgery with Dr. Seckin

Welcome! If you are here, you’ve likely read My Endometriosis Journey and want to learn more about symptoms and surgical preparation. If you haven’t, I suggest you start there and make your way back here. 

Endometriosis Symptoms: Common Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Endometriosis causes a wide range of symptoms that can impact the pelvis, bladder, bowels, hormones, and overall quality of life. Symptoms vary in type, severity, and timing, ranging from debilitating chronic pain to subtle or intermittent signs that are often overlooked. 

While endometriosis symptoms commonly worsen around ovulation or menstruation, many people experience pelvic pain and related symptoms throughout the entire menstrual cycle. Endometriosis patients may have ONLY 1 of these symptoms, others may have most of these symptoms. 

Pelvic & Abdominal Pain

  • Chronic pelvic pain (constant or cyclical)

  • Severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)

  • Pain that begins days before a period and lingers after

  • Pain during ovulation

  • Sharp, stabbing, or burning pelvic pain

  • One-sided pelvic or ovarian pain

  • Lower abdominal pressure or heaviness

  • Pain that worsens with standing or sitting for long periods

  • Pain radiating to the hips, groin, thighs, or lower back

  • Pain flares unrelated to menstruation

Menstrual Symptoms

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)

  • Prolonged periods

  • Clotting during menstruation

  • Irregular cycles

  • Spotting between periods

  • Worsening symptoms with each cycle

  • Minimal bleeding but severe pain (especially with suppressed cycles)

Bladder & Urinary Symptoms

  • Pain with a full bladder

  • Pain during or after urination

  • Frequent urge to urinate

  • Bladder pressure or cramping

  • Difficulty fully emptying the bladder

  • Pain that mimics a urinary tract infection without infection

  • Interstitial cystitis–like symptoms

  • Blood in urine (rare but possible with bladder involvement)

Bowel & Digestive Symptoms

  • Pain with bowel movements (especially during periods)

  • Rectal pain or pressure

  • Pain radiating into the rectum or tailbone

  • Chronic constipation

  • Diarrhea or alternating constipation and diarrhea

  • Bloating (often called “endo belly”)

  • Excessive gas or abdominal distention

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Pain after eating

  • Symptoms mistaken for IBS

  • Pain that worsens after bowel prep or laxatives

Sexual & Reproductive Symptoms

  • Pain during intercourse (deep dyspareunia)

  • Pain after intercourse

  • Pelvic floor spasm or tightness

  • Vaginal pain or burning

  • Pain with tampon insertion or pelvic exams

  • Reduced libido due to pain anticipation

  • Fertility struggles or infertility

  • Recurrent pregnancy loss

Hormonal & Cycle-Related Symptoms

  • Severe PMS or PMDD-like symptoms

  • Mood swings linked to cycle phases

  • Anxiety or depression that worsens premenstrually

  • Fatigue that peaks in the luteal phase

  • Breast tenderness unrelated to typical PMS

  • Hot flashes or temperature dysregulation

  • Sleep disturbances tied to cycle timing

Neurological & Nerve-Related Symptoms

  • Shooting or electric-like pelvic pain

  • Numbness or tingling in the groin, vulva, or thighs

  • Sciatic pain (especially cyclical)

  • Hip pain mistaken for orthopedic issues

  • Tailbone pain

  • Pain worsened by certain positions or movements

  • Symptoms that shift sides cycle to cycle

Musculoskeletal Symptoms

  • Chronic lower back pain

  • Hip or SI joint pain

  • Pelvic instability

  • Muscle guarding or chronic tension

  • Pain mistaken for muscular strain or disc issues

  • Postural changes due to pain compensation

Systemic & Whole-Body Symptoms

  • Debilitating fatigue or exhaustion

  • Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Inflammation-related flares

  • Flu-like malaise during periods

  • Reduced exercise tolerance

  • Feeling “unwell” without clear explanation

Cheat sheet:

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Not medical advice

FURTHER READING: 

My Endometriosis Journey: https://megconnolly.com/2023/03/17/my-endometriosis-journey

Endometriosis Symptoms: https://megconnolly.com/2025/12/30/endometriosis-symptoms-common-signs-that-should-not-be-ignored/

Ablation vs Excision Endometriosis Surgery: https://megconnolly.com/2025/12/30/endometriosis-excision-surgery-vs-ablation-surgery-whats-the-difference/

What to Pack/How to Prep for Endometriosis Excision Surgery: https://megconnolly.com/2025/12/30/what-to-pack-for-endometriosis-surgery-hospital-recovery-essentials/