Why Are My Periods So Painful? What to Know About Endometriosis

If you have ever curled up with a heating pad wondering, “Why are my periods so painful,” I want you to know you are not alone — and your pain is real. For many patients, the hardest part of having symptoms of endometriosis is feeling unheard. Pain that disrupts daily life matters and should not be ignored. My goal is to give you the space to feel heard and supported as we work together to create a plan that improves your symptoms and overall well-being.

I meet women every week who feel frustrated, dismissed or unsure why their periods seem “too much” to be normal. Here is the truth: periods should not take over your life.

If you miss work, avoid intimacy or plan your month around how you might feel, something deeper may be going on. One of the most common causes is endometriosis — and understanding it is the first step toward feeling better.

Let’s talk about what that really means and what you can do about it.

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of your uterus grows in places it does not belong. When your hormones shift each month, that tissue responds as it would during a period, but it has nowhere to go. That trapped inflammation can create pain that feels deep, sharp, heavy or exhausting.

Many women quietly search “endometriosis symptoms” long before they feel comfortable saying the word out loud. If you are doing that too, you are already taking an important step.

What Endometriosis Can Feel Like

Women describe this pain in many different ways. Here are the symptoms I hear most often:

• Heavy painful periods that disrupt daily life
• Severe menstrual cramps that feel different from typical period cramps
• Pain during sex that makes intimacy stressful
• Fertility struggles or difficulty getting pregnant
• Bloating, fatigue and bowel changes around your cycle
• Pelvic or back pain even when you are not on your period

One thing almost every woman says is, “I thought this was normal” or “No one believed my pain.”

Pain is never something you owe an explanation for. If something feels off, it is worth exploring.

Your Treatment Options

Women often ask, “Will I need surgery” or “Is there anything that actually helps the pain.” The answer is that treatment is personal. What works for one woman might not be what another needs.

Here are the main options:

Lifestyle Changes

Heat, stretching, pelvic floor therapy and certain nutrition changes can help manage inflammation.

Medication

Hormonal medications can regulate your cycle, decrease pain and reduce bleeding.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Laparoscopy can remove endometriosis tissue, improve pain and support fertility goals.

Advanced Surgical Options

Used in more complex cases, not the first step.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The right plan is the one that fits your symptoms and your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common early signs of endometriosis?
Painful periods that feel too intense, pelvic pain before your cycle begins, spotting between periods or pain during intercourse are early signs many women overlook.

Can endometriosis cause stomach or digestive symptoms?
Yes. Many women experience bloating, constipation, diarrhea or nausea that worsens around their period. These symptoms often lead women to wonder whether something is wrong with their digestion when the root cause is hormonal.

Can you have endometriosis and regular periods?
Yes. Not everyone with endometriosis has heavy bleeding. Pain can still be significant even if your flow is normal.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?
Ultrasound helps rule out other causes, but the only way to confirm endometriosis is with minimally invasive laparoscopy. This allows your provider to see and treat the tissue directly.

Does endometriosis affect fertility?
It can, depending on how much inflammation or scar tissue is present. Many women with endometriosis become pregnant naturally, and treatment often improves fertility outcomes.

Does endometriosis always get worse if untreated?
For some women it does. Pain can become more frequent or intense over time. Early care often leads to better long-term comfort and better fertility outcomes.

Do I need surgery to feel better?
Not always. Many women find relief with medication and lifestyle strategies. Surgery is recommended when pain is severe, fertility is affected or other treatments are not enough.

When Pelvic Pain Is Not Normal

If you are asking yourself whether your pain is “bad enough,” please hear this: pain that affects your daily life is enough. Whether it keeps you home from work, affects your relationships or simply feels like a heavy weight in your lower belly, you deserve care that takes your symptoms seriously.

Let’s Talk About What You’re Feeling

You do not have to keep guessing or pushing through the pain alone. At Carrollton Obstetrics and Gynecology, we listen without judgment, ask questions that matter and work with you to build a plan that brings real relief.

Whether you are wondering “Could my symptoms mean endometriosis” or want answers you can trust, we are here to help.

If you live in Carrollton, Villa Rica, Bremen or anywhere across west Georgia and east Alabama, you can find compassionate endometriosis care close to home. To talk with a provider, call 770-214-2229.