Endometriosis bowel symptoms


Many women suffer with a range of upsetting symptoms of the bowel caused by endometriosis. 

However, too many doctors still do not think of endometriosis when their patients report symptoms such as intermittent constipation or diarrhoea, or alternating bouts of the two or bleeding from the rectum.

Most importantly, they do not think to ask woman if their bowel symptoms vary with their menstrual cycle – the key feature of bowel involvement due to endometriosis. As a result, some young women are not being diagnosed.

 

bowel symptoms endometriosis

Causes of Bowel Endometriosis

Most bowel symptoms are not due to the presence of endometriosis on the surface of the bowel itself. Rather, they are usually due to irritation from implants and nodules located in adjacent areas, such as the Pouch of Douglas, uterosacral ligaments, and recto-vaginal septum.

In those cases where the endometrial implants are located on the bowel, the implants are usually lying on the outside surface of  the rectum rather than in the bowel itself. Nevertheless, endometriosis can penetrate into and through the bowel wall on some occasions.

The large bowel is a much more common site of endometriosis than the small bowel. Some symptoms are due to adhesions constricting, twisting, or pulling on the bowel.


How common is it?


Studies suggest that bowel endometriosis estimates vary a lot because it is hard to detect. There may be ranges from about five percent up to a third, depending on the study and how carefully doctors look and their level of expertise.


Symptoms often look like IBS

Painful bowel movements, bloating, constipation or diarrhea that increase around periods, and sometimes rectal bleeding with periods. Deep pelvic pain with sex can be another clue when the rectovaginal area is involved.

Because these signs cross over with gut problems, many women get sent down a GI path first. Scans can come back as normal, that is unless you have an experience surgeon who will recognise the pattern of symptoms.


Diagnosis of Bowel Endometriosis

Diagnosis relies a great deal on the woman's description of her symptoms and menstrual history. Bowel symptoms due to endometriosis are generally only present or are worse around the time of the period, though they may be present throughout the month for some sufferers. 

They are also usually reported along with one or more of the classical symptoms of endometriosis, such as painful periods and painful intercourse, rather than on their own.

Women whose symptoms are due to endometrial nodules in the Pouch of Douglas may find a vaginal examination painful. The gynaecologist may also be able to feel nodules in the Pouch of Douglas.

Sometimes the gynaecologist will refer the woman to a Gastro-Intestinal specialist if he or she is not sure whether the bowel symptoms are due to endometriosis or another cause. Occasionally, the gynaecologist may refer the woman to a specialist for a colonoscopy.  A colonoscopy is an examination of the inside of the gastro-intestinal tract with a telescope-like instrument. 

In most women with endometriosis, the colonoscopy will be normal because endometrial implants and nodules rarely penetrate through the wall of the bowel wall so they are not visible during a colonoscopy.


Endometriosis bowel symptoms


Treatment for Bowel Endometriosis

Endometrial nodules in the Pouch of Douglas, uterosacral ligaments, and recto-vaginal septum are generally larger and deeper than ordinary implants. They do not usually respond to drug treatment so they will usually be removed surgically. 

Because they are difficult to reach, there is a danger that the bowel may be damaged accidentally during surgery. Therefore, the surgeon must be experienced at laparoscopic surgery.

Cutting (excision) techniques are usually used rather than burning techniques. Superficial endometrial implants on the surface of the bowel are usually removed by carefully removing the relevant part of the membrane that covers the bowel wall.

If the endometriosis has penetrated through a section of the bowel wall that section of the bowel may have to be removed. Few gynaecologists are able to perform this surgery, so usually a bowel surgeon will be called in to perform the resection.




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About the Author

Hi, I am Carolyn Levett, the Founder here at endo-resolved - I am an Integrative Health Coach having studied nutrition, naturopathy and aromatherapy as well as being a published author of three endometriosis books. I used to suffer from severe endometriosis and was fortunate to be able to regained my health and recover from this disease with the support of nutrition, natural therapies and lots of determination.

My motivation is to help other women with endometriosis to heal their bodies so they may start to overcome this awful disease without having to totally rely on toxic drugs and surgeries which can cause further damage  -  with healing thoughts, Carolyn.




Reference:

https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-and-bowel

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4229526/

https://www.everydayhealth.com/endometriosis/bowel-endometriosis/



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