Is rectal bleeding during your period a sign of endometriosis?

Yes—rectal bleeding that predictably happens during your period can be a sign of bowel endometriosis, especially when endometriosis involves the rectum or sigmoid colon. Many patients also notice pain with bowel movements, deep pelvic pain, bloating, constipation/diarrhea swings, or symptoms that flare in a cyclical pattern.

That said, rectal bleeding isn’t specific to endometriosis, and it’s important not to assume that’s the only explanation. Hemorrhoids, fissures, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, and other GI conditions can overlap with (or be mistaken for) endometriosis, and symptoms alone can be hard to separate without a thoughtful workup.

In our practice, we take bleeding symptoms seriously and evaluate the whole picture—your timing pattern, associated bowel and pelvic symptoms, exam findings, and, when helpful, expertly interpreted imaging like ultrasound or MRI to look for suspected bowel involvement and related conditions. If endometriosis is suspected, we can talk through what diagnosis and treatment can look like, including minimally invasive excision when appropriate—reach out to schedule a consultation with our team.