The short explanation
It is possible, and it is reasonable to ask about it. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the womb, for example near the bowel, behind the womb or on the ovaries. Pain when opening the bowels during periods and pain during sex are well-known symptoms, along with painful periods that are getting worse. Endometriosis is often missed for years because its symptoms overlap with gas, irritable bowel and ordinary period pain. Bowel pain that clearly comes with periods is a pattern worth describing clearly to a gynaecologist. Other causes are possible, so the aim is to look carefully rather than to assume.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Doctors usually take a detailed history, do an examination and arrange an ultrasound. A normal scan does not rule out endometriosis, because small patches often do not show up. In some cases a specialist suggests keyhole surgery to look directly.
- Treatment depends on your symptoms and plans for pregnancy, and can include pain relief, hormonal treatment and, sometimes, surgery.
- Keeping a diary of pain, bowel symptoms and periods for two or three cycles helps a lot. If you feel dismissed, you can ask for a referral to a gynaecologist with an interest in endometriosis.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell whether you have endometriosis. That needs a specialist assessment, and sometimes surgery, to confirm.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could my bowel pain during periods and pain with sex be endometriosis?
- Would an ultrasound or MRI help, and what if it is normal?
- What treatment options can I try while we investigate?
- Can I be referred to someone who sees a lot of endometriosis?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have sudden severe pelvic pain, collapse, or pain with high fever and vomiting.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if you see blood in your stools with severe pain or feel very unwell.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book an appointment with a gynaecologist if you have period-related bowel pain, painful sex or worsening period pain over several months.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Endometriosis NHS
- Endometriosis Cleveland Clinic
- Endometriosis World Health Organization
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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