A woman with a common condition has highlighted three symptoms that often go unmentioned—and if you experience them, it might be time to consult your GP. On TikTok, the account Endo Tips (@justanothergirlwithendo) shared “three symptoms of endometriosis that nobody seems to be talking about,” emphasising that these signs are frequently dismissed by doctors as unrelated issues.
She explains that she has endometriosis—a widespread condition affecting the entire body. It occurs when cells similar to those in the womb’s lining (uterus) grow elsewhere in the body. These cells respond to menstrual cycle hormones, potentially causing inflammation, pain, and scar tissue.
In her video, which has amassed nearly 200k views, she says: “First of all, we’ve got chronic fatigue that literally feels as if your body is walking through quicksand. I’m not trying to exaggerate at all but it literally feels as if your body is being held down by a ton of bricks and you can’t move.
“One of the hardest things about endometriosis is trying to explain to somebody who doesn’t have it, how it feels being tired because you’re not tired your chronically fatigued.” She does stress that this feeling does not compare with simply feeling tired and it’s at times, indescribable.
She goes on to say that another lesser-known symptom is all to do with your stomach. “You’ve got digestive issues that are always misdiagnosed for IBS and digestive issues are literally going from constipation to diarrhoea to everything in between to then having painful bowel movements which is just not nice.”
In addition to this, she says endo – the term many people shorten the condition to – messes with your diet and how you react to food and drink. She says that many people can be “sensitive to food and you don’t really know what flares you up because everything is flaring you up and causing you to bloat.”
In her third and final symptom warning, she says: “If you’ve got bladder problems that feels like it’s a UTIs but it’s not a UTI. I’s literally endometriosis symptoms and these bladder problems are things like needing to pee all the time, burning sensations when you’re peeing – so it is really similar to a UTI but it’s not.”
What are the different types of endometriosis?
According to Endometriosis UK, there’s four types and it’s possible to have more than one type. The different types refer to the location, amount and depth of endometrial lesions.
- Peritoneal (superficial) endometriosis – is found mainly on the pelvic peritoneum – a thin film that lines the inner surface of the pelvis and surrounds the pelvic organs.
- Ovarian endometriosis (endometrioma) – is when endometriosis cysts are found in the ovaries.
- Deep endometriosis – is found in locations such as the bladder, bowel and recto-vaginal septum (tissue separating the vagina and the rectum). The lesions of endometriosis are at a deeper level than peritoneal (superficial) endometriosis.
- Extra-pelvic endometriosis – is when endometriosis is found outside of the pelvis, such as the thorax (chest) and caesarean scars.
What are the signs and symptoms of endometriosis?
- Bloating
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods that interfere with everyday life
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements/when having a poo
- Pain when urinating/peeing
- Difficulty getting pregnant – up to 70% of those with endometriosis will be able to get pregnant naturally
- Fatigue, with one or more of the above symptoms