What are the symptoms of bowel endometriosis?

Bowel endometriosis can cause digestive symptoms that often look like IBS and may fluctuate with your menstrual cycle. Common patterns include lower abdominal or pelvic pain, significant bloating (“endo belly”), constipation and/or diarrhea, nausea (sometimes vomiting), and pain with bowel movements—often worse during periods.

Some people also notice rectal bleeding, especially around menstruation, along with broader endometriosis symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain, painful sex, urinary discomfort, fatigue, or a heavy “pressure” feeling in the pelvis. Because bowel symptoms can come from inflammatory lesions near the bowel even without deep implants, imaging may help map disease but can’t reliably rule it out. If your symptoms sound cyclical or you’ve been treated for GI issues without clear answers, our team can help evaluate the full picture and discuss whether minimally invasive excision surgery is appropriate for both diagnosis and long-term relief.