If you’ve been told “it’s probably IBS” but your gut and the rest of your body is screaming something else is going on, you’re not being dramatic.

You are not just stressed. You are not making a fuss. And no… importantly…, painful periods that wipe you out are not just part of being a woman. 

For lots of women, getting answers for chronic abdominal pain, bloating, bowel changes and pelvic pain can take years. You go to appointments. You explain the pain. You don’t feel listened to. You try cutting things out. You try drinking more water. You try moving more and getting a better routine. You try being less stressed, which is quite the task when being in pain every month is, in fact, really stressful.

And still, you’re left thinking: is this IBS, endometriosis, hormones, food, stress… or all of the above? Will I feel like this every month? Will I have to suffer in silence and smile through the pain? Will I keep going? Will I stay in bed for days every month? 

That’s why we need to talk about the link between endometriosis and IBS.

Because the symptoms can fell really painfully similar. They can be confused by medical professionals. They can be dismissed. And sometimes, frustratingly, they can both be happening at the same time.

This year (2026) Endometriosis UK reported that the average time to get an endometriosis diagnosis in the UK is now 9 years and 4 months. That’s nearly a decade of pain, confusion, Googling, appointments, and wondering whether you’re being taken seriously.

This Git Wealth blog is a collated piece of useful information to help you understand what might be going on, what patterns to look for, and how to go into your next appointment with a bit more confidence (although confidence isn;t what this is about but we’re always being told to be confident).

Why endometriosis and IBS are so often confused

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a condition that affects how your gut works. It can cause bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, urgency and changes in bowel habits.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the womb. It can cause pain, inflammation, painful periods, pelvic pain, pain during sex, fatigue and often gut symptoms too.

So already, we’ve got a bit of a symptom soup. Both IBS and endometriosis can involve:

Bloating | Abdominal pain | Symptoms that flare around stress | Constipation | Diarrhoea | Pain before or during bowel movements | Nausea | Fatigue | Symptoms that seem worse around your period

No wonder so many women are told they have IBS when endometriosis has not been fully looked into.

Endometriosis can also affect your bowel directly. This is sometimes called bowel endometriosis, and it can happen when endometriosis tissue grows on or around the bowel. Symptoms can include painful bowel movements, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and, less commonly, rectal bleeding during a period. Lovely stuff, huh?

What’s tricky here is that IBS is often diagnosed by looking at symptoms and ruling out other causes. So if endometriosis isn’t considered properly - you may be misdiagnosed. 

It doesn’t mean cases of IBS is actually endometriosis or that your GP is trying to fob you off. Both conditions are complex, and women’s health pathways are not known  for being speedy or easy to navigate.

But if your symptoms are cyclical, severe, pelvic, or not responding to usual IBS advice, it is worth asking more questions. This is where you need to stand up and advocate for yourself and your health. 

Key differences between endometriosis and IBS

Our bodies are really flipping complex at times. So there’s no perfect checklist you can use at home for a self diagnosis. Our bodies are annoying like that.

But this guide can be helpful to think about 

1. Timing: does it get worse around your period?

IBS symptoms can happen at any time. They might be triggered by certain foods, stress level, poor sleep, alcohol, caffeine, travel, illness or changes in your routine.

Endometriosis symptoms tend to have more of a cycle pattern - often with your menstruation cycle. For example, they get worse before your period, during your period, or around ovulation. So if it happen every month, this is one of the big clues.

To help guide conversation with your doctor, write down:

When it happens | Where the pain is | Whether you’re on your period | Whether it happens before or after your period | Whether you’re constipated or have diarrhoea | Whether it hurts to poo | Whether you feel pelvic pain too | Whether painkillers help | Whether going to the toilet helps or does absolutely nothing

Basically, write it all down. The more info, the better. And it will help you avoid overwhelm when speaking to the doc. 

More info - instead of saying “I get bloated sometimes” - you can be more specific with “I get severe bowel pain every month during my period and it hurts to open my bowels” are two very different conversations. And the more your have written down, will help you direct the conversation. 

2. Discomfort and Pain: does going to the toilet help?

With IBS, abdominal pain is often linked to bowel movements or after eating. For some people, pain and discomfort improves after going to the toilet.

With endometriosis, the pain may not improve after a bowel movement. It might feel deeper, sharper, more pelvic, or like it’s coming from somewhere that is not just your gut having a grumble.

Symptoms that may point more towards endometriosis include:

Very painful periods | Pelvic pain that affects daily life | Pain during or after sex | Pain when opening your bowels, especially during your period | Pain that travels into your back, hips or legs | Fatigue that feels like you’ve been unplugged from the wall | Heavy bleeding or bleeding between periods | Difficulty getting pregnant

The NHS lists symptoms of endometriosis as including lower tummy or back pain, period pain that stops normal activities, pain during or after sex, pain when peeing or pooing during a period, feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea and blood in pee or poo during a period.

And just to make it more annoying, some people have both IBS and endometriosis. So it’s not always one or the other. You may have a sensitive gut and a gynaecological condition driving inflammation and pain. But this is all helpful to write it down to get the full picture and to help your doctor with diagnosis so they can support you. 

3. Triggers: food, stress, hormones… or all three?

IBS can be triggered by food, stress, sleep, hormones and changes in routine.

Endometriosis can also be affected by inflammation, hormones and stress. Some women find certain foods make their symptoms worse, while others notice their symptoms are much more tied to their cycle than what they’re eating. 

This is where it can get really easy to blame yourself.

You eat bread. You bloat. You cut out bread. You still bloat. 

You eat dairy. You bloat. You cut out dairy. You still bloat. 

You eat a salad. You bloat. You wonder whether you’re now allergic to being alive.

Food can absolutely play a role in gut symptoms. But if your pain is severe, cyclical, pelvic, or getting worse, please don’t assume it’s all down to your diet. 

You deserve proper investigation, not another tiny list of safe foods that makes your life miserable. WRITE IT DOWN. And bring this info to your doctor. 

What investigations can help tell the difference?

A standard IBS diagnosis does not automatically rule out endometriosis.

If you have gut symptoms alongside painful periods, pelvic pain, painful sex or cyclical bowel pain, it is reasonable to ask whether endometriosis has been considered.

Tests and investigations may include:

Pelvic examination | Ultrasound | Transvaginal ultrasound | MRI | Referral to gynaecology | Laparoscopy

I’m telling you now, they’re often not very fun! But it’s best to rue out anything more serious. 

Scans can sometimes detect endometriosis, especially certain types of deeper disease. But normal scans do not always mean endometriosis is not there. Laparoscopy has traditionally been used to confirm diagnosis, although pathways and imaging approaches continue to evolve. The NHS lists ultrasound, MRI and laparoscopy among tests that may be used to help diagnose endometriosis.

So if your scan was normal but your symptoms are still very much not normal, don’t feel silly asking what happens next.

How to prepare for a GP appointment

Well as I’ve mentioned in this blog multiple times, write all your symptoms and experiences down. Get prepared so you don’t feel overwhelmed. 

We know. You shouldn’t have to prepare like you’re going into a court case just to be listened to. But being specific can help.

You can use an app, notes on your phone, or a very unglamorous bit of paper stuck to the fridge. Whatever works.

Track these things if you can:

Period dates | Pain levels | Bloating | Constipation | Diarrhoea | Urgency | Pain when pooing | Pain during or after sex | Back, hip or leg pain | Nausea | Fatigue | Bleeding between periods | Medication and whether it helped | Foods or stress that may have triggered symptoms

Then take that to your appointment and say clearly what you’re worried about.

You are allowed to ask direct questions.

You are allowed to bring notes.

You are allowed to say, “This is affecting my life.”

And if you feel dismissed, you’re allowed to ask for a second opinion.

Managing gut health when endometriosis is part of the picture

Managing gut symptoms when endometriosis may be involved can be more complicated than standard IBS advice.

Endometriosis can involve inflammation, hormones, pain pathways and, for some people, bowel involvement. That means gut support may be one helpful piece of the puzzle, but it is not the whole puzzle.

Depending on your symptoms, support might include:

Medical treatment | Hormonal treatment | Pain management | Surgery | Pelvic health physiotherapy | Dietary support | Stress support | Gut health support | Constipation support | Tracking and managing flare-ups

Some people find that an anti-inflammatory style of eating helps them manage symptoms. That might mean more colourful plants, oily fish, fibre, hydration and fewer foods that you personally know make things worse.

But please don’t turn this into a punishment diet.

Your body is already dealing with enough. You do not need to live on three “safe” foods and vibes.

There is also growing interest in the gut microbiome and endometriosis. The research is still developing, but early evidence suggests there may be differences in gut bacteria in people with endometriosis. That does not mean a gut supplement treats endometriosis. It doesn’t. But it does make sense that supporting your gut may help support overall wellbeing when your gut is involved in your symptoms.

Small gut-friendly steps can include:

Eating slowly | Chewing properly | Drinking enough water | Getting fibre in gradually | Moving gently when you can | Using heat for cramps | Prioritising sleep where possible | Reducing straining on the toilet | Using a toilet step if constipation is an issue

Sometimes the small things are the things that make daily life less of a battle.

So, could your IBS be linked to endometriosis?

Yeah, possibly. Endometriosis and IBS can look similar. They can be confused. They can happen together. And if your symptoms flare around your period, involve pelvic pain, or include pain when opening your bowels, it is worth asking whether endometriosis has been properly considered.

This isn’t about panicking. It’s about noticing patterns and getting the right support. 

Be kind to yourself 

Endometriosis and IBS are closely linked, often confused, and far too often dismissed as “women’s problems”. UGH! 

We’re tired of that. Pain that stops you living your life is not normal. Painful bowel movements during your period are not something you should just quietly put up with.

Bloating that makes you dress for survival every day deserves more than a shrug.

Getting answers can take time, but it is possible. Track your symptoms. Ask direct questions. Push for proper investigation if something doesn’t feel right.

And in the meantime, be kind to your gut and yourself.

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