Forget bad periods the lesser-known symptoms of endometriosis, plus major clinical red flags

If you think you know endometriosis, think again.Experts estimate the disease affects more than 6.5 million US women.And yet it has become one of the most commonly missed diagnoses — even among gynecologists, endometriosis is still not fully understood or recognized.While the condition is notoriously known for causing pain and severe periods, there are lesser-known symptoms that can also indicate endometriosis, including major clinical red flags that go underreported due to stigma.Consequently, it takes an average of 10 years to accurately diagnose endometriosis because its symptoms often overlap with other conditions.“Endometriosis is a progressive, inflammatory disease, and leaving it unchecked is a gamble with your future health,” Dr.

Sheeva Talebian, a reproductive endocrinologist at CCRM New York, told The Post.Here’s everything you need to know about these lesser-known symptoms.“We have to look beyond the bad period headlines that people like to attribute to endometriosis,” said Talebian.Take “endo belly,” for example: a severe, often painful form of abdominal swelling and distension so significant that a person can look several months pregnant by the end of the day.In addition to the distinct bulge, this symptom often comes with abdominal tightness, sharp or dull pain, constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas, nausea and pelvic or lower back pressure.This stems from systemic and local inflammation, endometrial-like tissue growing outside the uterus, gut microbial imbalances, visceral hypersensitivity and high comorbidity with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).“This is a sign of the immune system being in overdrive,” explained Talebian.The swelling can flare up cyclically — most commonly in the weeks or days leading up to menstruation — or persist chronically throughout the entire month.Chronic fatigue is another fairly common symptom of endometriosis.Up to 75% of people with endometriosis reportedly experience persistent, heavy exhaustion ...