Can endometriosis cause diarrhea only during your period?

Yes—endometriosis can be associated with diarrhea that happens only during your period. Menstruation increases prostaglandins, which can speed up bowel contractions and lead to looser stools and more urgency, and endometriosis-related inflammation can make those period-driven bowel changes feel much more intense.

This pattern can occur even when endometriosis isn’t growing into the bowel wall, because pelvic inflammation and nerve irritation can still affect how the bowel behaves during a bleed. If your diarrhea is predictable each cycle, disruptive, or comes with significant pelvic pain, rectal pain, or painful bowel movements, our team can help you sort out whether endometriosis is a likely contributor and what next steps make sense for you.