What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is not “just a bad period.” It is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the entire body. It happens when tissue grows in places it doesn’t belong, causing pain, inflammation, scar tissue, adhesions, and sometimes organ damage. Despite how common it is, endometriosis remains widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed.

Understanding it is the first step toward finding real care, relief, and hope.

It’s Not Just a Reproductive Disease

Endometriosis can grow almost anywhere in the body. It most often affects the pelvic area but has been found far beyond it.
Common sites include:

  • Ovaries and fallopian tubes

  • Uterus and pelvic wall

  • Bladder and bowel

  • Diaphragm and abdominal wall

  • In rare cases: lungs, heart, brain, eyes, legs, and toes

Because it can exist in so many places, symptoms vary greatly from person to person.

A Disease That Triggers Inflammation and Pain

Endometriosis is an inflammatory and estrogen-sensitive condition. The tissue can respond to hormonal changes, release inflammatory chemicals, and affect nearby organs and nerves. Over time, this can lead to scarring, adhesions, and widespread pain.

It does not only impact the reproductive system. It can influence the nervous, hormonal, and immune systems, which is why so many people with endometriosis experience fatigue, gut issues, histamine overload, and other full-body symptoms.

Symptoms of Endometriosis

Endometriosis looks different for everyone. No two people experience it the same way. Some have constant pain, while others only have symptoms around their cycle. Common symptoms include:

  • Pelvic or abdominal pain

  • Pain with periods, sex, or bowel movements

  • Irregular periods

  • Bloating or painful digestion

  • Hair loss

  • Belly button pain

  • Constipation or diarrhea (or both!)

  • Bladder pain or urgency

  • Fatigue

  • Back or leg pain

  • Nerve pain

  • Histamine overload

  • Increased sense of smell

  • Infertility or difficulty conceiving

  • Butt or vagina pain (lightning crotch)

  • Ovarian cysts

  • Jaw tension

  • And more!

Pain level does not always reflect the amount or depth of disease. Some people with extensive endometriosis have little pain, while others with minimal disease suffer deeply.

Why It’s Often Missed

Endometriosis cannot always be seen on ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs. Because symptoms overlap with conditions like IBS, PCOS, and bladder pain syndrome, many people are misdiagnosed for years. Most gynecologists are not trained to recognize or treat it completely, which is why the average delay in diagnosis is still 7 to 10 years.

Finding an endometriosis specialist can shorten that timeline and lead to more effective care.

Visit the Finding Care page to learn how to identify and vet true experts.

There Is a Path Forward

While there is no simple cure, many women find lasting relief through expert excision surgery, lifestyle changes, and supportive care. Healing is possible when you are informed, validated, and guided by the right team.

That is why Wulf Women exists- to help you understand your body, find real answers, and know you are not alone.