By the Endometriosis Alliance
If you’ve ever been told that your pain is “normal,” that it’s “just part of being a woman,” or that “it’s probably just a bad period,” you’re not alone — but you’ve also likely been misinformed.
Endometriosis is not just a bad period. It’s a chronic, inflammatory disease that can impact every part of the body — and every part of a person’s life.
In this post, we’re setting the record straight.
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (called endometrial-like tissue) grows outside the uterus. It can be found on the:
- Ovaries
- Fallopian tubes
- Pelvic sidewalls
- Bladder and bowel
- Diaphragm
- Lungs
- And in rare cases, even the brain
This tissue doesn’t shed like a normal period. It stays, bleeds, and causes inflammation. Over time, it can lead to:
- Severe pain (cyclical or daily)
- Scarring and adhesions
- Digestive and urinary symptoms
- Fatigue and brain fog
- Infertility
Why It’s Not “Just Period Pain”
Many people with endometriosis are dismissed for years — even decades — because their symptoms overlap with what’s often normalized as menstrual discomfort. But there is a critical difference:
| Typical Period Pain | Endometriosis-Related Pain |
| Lasts 1–2 days | Can last for weeks or the entire cycle |
| Responds to over-the-counter meds | May be resistant to all medication |
| Doesn’t interrupt daily life | Can impact school, work, and relationships |
| Often improves with birth control | May persist or worsen despite hormones |
Endometriosis pain is often described as sharp, stabbing, burning, or like an internal twisting. It may radiate to the lower back, thighs, or rectum. And for many, it is completely life-altering.
Why Diagnosis Takes So Long
On average, it takes seven to ten years to be diagnosed with endometriosis. That’s nearly a decade of pain, confusion, and frustration.
Common misdiagnoses include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Interstitial cystitis or chronic UTIs
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Anxiety or psychosomatic pain
This delay is largely due to the lack of a non-invasive diagnostic tool. Currently, the gold standard for diagnosis is surgical — through laparoscopy, with pathology confirming endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. This procedure, known as excision surgery, is also the most effective treatment.
You Deserve Answers, and You Are Not Alone
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, still searching, or supporting someone who’s navigating endometriosis, know this:
Your pain is real.
Your story matters.
You deserve care that goes beyond dismissal or delay.
At the Endometriosis Alliance, we’re committed to transforming how endometriosis is understood, treated, and talked about. Through education, advocacy, and community support, we are rewriting what it means to live with this disease.
Share This, Start the Conversation
One of the most powerful tools we have is awareness. If this article resonated with you, please share it. You never know who might be silently struggling and searching for answers.
To learn more or get involved, explore our resources and support hubs, contribute your story, or join our growing alliance.
Together, we are changing the way the world sees endometriosis.