Can bowel inflammation, stomach pain, back pain, and joint pain (including shoulders) all be symptoms of endometriosis?
Yes, what you're experiencing can absolutely be related to endometriosis. The symptoms you're describing—bowel inflammation, widespread stomach and back pain, joint pain in your shoulders, and frequent Show Full Answer
Can bowel inflammation, stomach pain, back pain, and joint pain (including shoulders) all be symptoms of endometriosis?
Yes, what you're experiencing can absolutely be related to endometriosis. The symptoms you're describing—bowel inflammation, widespread stomach and back pain, joint pain in your shoulders, and frequent urination—are all reported by people with endometriosis.
When endometriosis affects the bowels, it can cause painful bowel movements, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, and abdominal pain. This pain often worsens during your menstrual period but can be constant for some people.
Back pain is very common—nearly 70 percent of people with endometriosis report lower back pain. The pain can feel like pressure and may be related to inflammation or the location of endometrial tissue. Joint pain, including in the shoulders, hips, knees, hands, and spine, affects about 39 percent of people with endometriosis. This may be due to ongoing inflammation in the body. The pain can feel achy, sore, stiff, or even like a throbbing sensation.
Your frequent urination (every 5-10 minutes) could indicate that endometriosis is affecting your bladder. When endometriosis involves the bladder, it can cause frequent urges to urinate, a burning feeling, and pain when your bladder is full—symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection.
The sleep disruption you're experiencing is also common. Severe pain can make it extremely difficult to get restful sleep, and fatigue affects about 50 percent of people with endometriosis.
Given how much you're struggling, it's important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor. They may need to evaluate whether your endometriosis is affecting multiple areas and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
April 13
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