Explore common and lesser known symptoms related to endometriosis, adenomyosis, and other gynaecological conditions all in one place. Use this space to learn, feel seen, and connect the dots on your own journey.
Definition: Endometriosis is a full-body, systemic, and chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can affect the ovaries, bowel, bladder, nerves, diaphragm, and more, not just the reproductive organs. It causes inflammation, scarring, organ dysfunction, and can severely impact quality of life.
Definition: Adenomyosis is a chronic and systemic condition where endometrial like tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, causing it to thicken and enlarge. It leads to heavy bleeding, severe cramping, and pressure like pelvic pain, especially during periods.
Definition: PMS refers to a group of physical and emotional symptoms that occur one to two weeks before menstruation. Symptoms may include mood swings, irritability, food cravings, bloating, headaches, and breast tenderness. While uncomfortable, PMS symptoms are generally milder than PMDD and do not typically interfere with daily life.
Common Symptoms:
Irregular or missed periods
Excess facial and body hair (hirsutism)
Acne, especially on the jawline and cheeks
Oily skin
Weight gain (especially around the stomach)
Hair thinning or scalp hair loss
Fertility issues (trouble ovulating)
Ovarian cysts (not always painful)
Insulin resistance or prediabetes
Constant fatigue
Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
Less Common / Overlooked Symptoms:
Dark patches of skin (especially on the neck, armpits, groin)
Skin tags
Pelvic pain or discomfort
Bloating
Poor sleep or insomnia
Headaches or migraines
Intense sugar cravings or binge eating
Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
Lowered sex drive
Occasional hot flashes or night sweats
High stress response / easily overwhelmed
Allergies or nasal congestion (linked to inflammation)
Common Symptoms:
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Periods lasting longer than 7 days
Pelvic pressure or pain
Bloating or feeling “full” in the abdomen
Frequent urination
Difficulty emptying the bladder fully
Constipation
Lower back or leg pain
Pain during sex
Unusual/Overlooked Symptoms:
Enlarged lower abdomen
Fatigue from iron deficiency (anemia)
Spotting between periods
Fertility issues or pregnancy complications
Sharp, localized cramps during menstruation
Common Symptoms:
Pelvic pain (especially on one side)
Sharp or dull abdominal cramps
Bloating
Pressure during urination or bowel movements
Pain during sex
Changes in period flow or cycle
Nausea or vomiting (especially with torsion or rupture)
Less Common/Variant Symptoms:
Sudden sharp pain (ruptured cyst)
Swelling in the abdomen
Feeling faint or dizzy (rupture with internal bleeding)
Breast tenderness
Pain during ovulation
Difficulty with bowel movements
Core Symptoms:
Ongoing vulvar pain or burning (lasting 3+ months)
Pain during sex (dyspareunia)
Stinging or raw sensation on the vulva
Itching or irritation without infection
Pain when sitting for long periods
Soreness around tampon use or wiping
Unusual/Overlooked Symptoms:
Pain that comes and goes (cyclical or random)
Pain triggered by light touch (e.g. underwear or washing)
Feeling like “razor blades” or “paper cuts” on skin
No visible signs despite intense discomfort
Anxiety or distress from persistent unexplained pain
Core Symptoms:
Involuntary tightness or muscle spasms in the vagina
Pain or burning during penetration (sex, tampon, pelvic exam)
Inability to insert anything vaginally, despite trying
Feeling like “hitting a wall” or blockage
Pelvic floor muscles clenching out of your control
Anxiety or fear around vaginal penetration
Unusual/Overlooked Symptoms:
Tightness or pressure in lower abdomen during intimacy
Muscle cramping or soreness after attempted penetration
Avoidance of gynecological exams due to fear/pain
Emotional distress, shame, or low self-esteem
Pain without any known physical cause (often misdiagnosed)
Symptoms can vary — some experience it lifelong (primary), others after trauma or surgery (secondary)
Description: A chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes pelvic pain.
Core Symptoms:
Persistent bladder or pelvic pain/pressure
Frequent need to urinate (even small amounts)
Urgency to urinate even when the bladder isn’t full
Pain that worsens as the bladder fills
Temporary relief after urinating
Pain during sex
Lower back or abdominal discomfort
Unusual/Overlooked Symptoms:
Burning sensation when peeing (without infection)
Worsening symptoms during period
Pain that radiates to thighs, groin, or urethra
Disrupted sleep due to frequent urination
Sensitivity to certain foods or drinks (like caffeine or citrus)
Feeling of bladder “fullness” even after emptying
Common Symptoms:
Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
Pain during sex
Pain when peeing
Unusual vaginal discharge (often with smell)
Irregular periods or spotting
Fever and chills
Fatigue
Less Common/Overlooked Symptoms:
Nausea or vomiting
Pain in the upper right abdomen (if it spreads to liver area)
Difficulty getting pregnant
Back pain
Heavy periods
Low mood or irritability from chronic discomfort
Definition: PMDD is a severe and chronic medical condition that affects individuals in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. Unlike PMS, PMDD symptoms are intense enough to disrupt daily functioning. Emotional symptoms such as extreme mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression are common, along with physical symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, and fatigue.
Definition: Excessively heavy or prolonged periods that may include clotting. Often associated with adenomyosis or hormonal imbalance.
Definition: A deep, radiating ache in one or both legs, often worse during menstruation. Can be caused by endometriosis on pelvic nerves or muscles.
Definition: Sudden abdominal swelling that can resemble pregnancy, often painful and worsened by inflammation or hormone fluctuations.
Definition: Chronic or cyclical pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis. May worsen during periods, ovulation, or intercourse.
Definition: Sharp pain on one side of the lower abdomen during ovulation, typically mid cycle.
Definition: Painful intercourse, especially with deep penetration. Common in those with endometriosis affecting the uterus, vagina, or rectum.
Definition: Sudden, sharp pain in or around the rectum, often triggered by bowel movements or menstruation. May indicate endometriosis behind or near the rectum.
Definition: Sharp or cramping pain before, during, or after pooping. May involve straining, spasms, or blood in stool.
Definition: Adverse reactions to hormonal treatments like birth control, including mood swings, fatigue, or increased pain.
Definition: Persistent worry or fear, often worsened by chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, and medical trauma from being dismissed or misdiagnosed.
Definition: A hot, burning feeling in the lower abdomen or vagina, often indicating nerve involvement or inflammation.
Definition: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, often caused by night-time pain or overactive nervous system.
Definition: Puffiness or pain around the eye, often occurring before or during periods. Can be linked to inflammation or migraines.
Definition: A sudden increase in symptoms like pain, fatigue, and bloating. Often triggered by stress, food, weather, or hormonal shifts.
Definition: Aching, burning, or sharp pain in the hip or groin area. May radiate from pelvic nerves affected by endometriosis.
Definition: Infrequent or difficult bowel movements, often worsened during periods. May be linked to endometriosis on the bowel or pelvic nerves.
Definition: Chronic or cyclical lower back pain, particularly around the sacrum. Can flare during periods or ovulation.
Definition: Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, or feeling mentally cloudy. Often triggered by pain, fatigue, or hormonal changes.
Definition: A feeling of sickness or urge to vomit, especially during periods. Can be linked to pain, hormones, or gastrointestinal symptoms.
Definition: Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days or is abnormally heavy, often requiring frequent changes of pads or tampons and sometimes leading to anemia.
Definition: Persistent exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest. Often due to inflammation, poor sleep, or chronic pain.
Definition: Light bleeding or spotting between periods, sometimes during ovulation, due to hormonal and uterine disruptions.
Definition: A dragging, heavy sensation in the pelvis caused by the thickened, inflamed uterus.
Definition: Some people with endometriosis develop lesions on the diaphragm or around the lungs. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, shoulder tip pain, and even coughing up blood during their period.
Definition: Body aches, fatigue, low-grade fever, and chills can occur during flare-ups or periods due to the body’s inflammatory response.
Definition: Sharp, shooting, or electric-like nerve pain down the legs, pelvis, or back, especially if lesions affect nearby nerves or cause inflammation.
Definition: Feeling the need to urinate often or experiencing a burning sensation, not caused by an infection.
Definition: Pain, tenderness, or even swelling around the belly button, especially during your period. This can be caused by umbilical endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows in or near the navel. It may feel like a pulling, throbbing, or stabbing pain, and sometimes there can even be bleeding from the belly button during menstruation.