Can endometriosis cause leg pain?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that can occur when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, resulting in pain and inflammation. The symptoms of a person with endometriosis may vary. However, leg pain is a common symptom of this condition.

Endometriosis-related leg pain typically feels like a radiating and warm pain. This may occur in only one leg or may spread to both. This pain may be more severe with age and may worsen before menstruation.

Why does it happen?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects about 11% of females in the United States. It causes tissues similar to those in the uterus to grow outside the uterus. These growths are benign but can cause symptoms like swelling and back and leg pain.

Typically, the tissue sheds through the vagina during the menstrual period. However, it can also grow in body areas and get trapped. This can result in symptoms such as:

• painful periods
• spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods
• diarrhea
• constipation
• bloating
• nausea
• fatigue
• painful intercourse
• infertility

Other issues that endometriosis growths can cause may include:

• inflammation
• cyst formation
• blockage of fallopian tubes
• formation of scar tissue and adhesions
• intestines and bladder problems

Research from 2016 indicated that endometriosis growth might trap the sciatic and other nerves, potentially causing leg pain.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve may cause pain in the buttocks that can radiate down the leg and the foot.

Treatment

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that has no cure. However, appropriate treatment can help improve its symptoms, including leg pain.

Home remedies

Various home remedies can help to alleviate leg pain from endometriosis. These methods can help reduce inflammation and pain levels. Examples include:

• placing a hot water bottle or heating pad against the inflamed area
• keeping your leg elevated
• getting plenty of rest
• exercising to reduce inflammation if you can do so

Over-the-counter (OTC) medication

A doctor may recommend taking pain medications alongside other drugs.

OTC pain relief, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help provide immediate and short-term relief. Examples include:

• naproxen (Aleve)
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• ibuprofen (Advil)

Prescription medication

If you are not trying to get pregnant, doctors may recommend taking hormonal birth control to:

• stop your periods
• reduce the frequency of your periods
• improve pain levels

If you are trying to get pregnant, doctors may recommend taking medications, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. They can stop your body from producing the hormones responsible for the menstrual cycle and the development of endometrial growth.

Examples include:

• elagolix (Orilissa)
• leuprolide (Eligard)
• goserelin (Zoladex)

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Surgery

Typically, you will need a laparoscopy to confirm a diagnosis of endometriosis. A doctor may also recommend this if you have severe symptoms where hormone treatment and other medications have not improved your symptoms. During the procedure, a surgeon can remove any endometrial-like growths and scarring.

A doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment for managing and improving the symptoms of endometriosis you may be experiencing.

Prevention

While there is no way to prevent endometriosis, you might be able to lower your chances of developing it by adopting several lifestyle measures that help you keep low levels of the hormone estrogen in your body.

Estrogen thickens the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle. Low estrogen levels may help reduce the risk of developing endometrial-like growth outside the uterus.

Physical exercise can play an important role in preventing endometriosis. Taking regular exercise can help maintain low levels of body fat. Regular exercise and low body fat reduce the amount of estrogen circulating in your body.

Eating a balanced, nutritious diet and limiting caffeine or alcohol intake also helps reduce the risk of endometriosis.

Foods that can help reduce symptoms include:

• fatty fish
• olive oil
• green leafy vegetable

Inflammation-causing food and drinks to limit include:

• red meat
• dairy products, such as butter
• refined flour products
• coffee
• sugar
• foods heavy on preservatives
• corn oil
• alcoholic beverages and spirits

A dietitian can recommend the most appropriate diet to reduce your risk of endometriosis.

CEPF 7/20/23. Might be nice to add a few links here if possible

When should you speak with a doctor?

If you experience severe leg pain that prevents you from walking, contact a doctor straight away, even if you have had a previous endometriosis diagnosis. This is important because while endometriosis can cause leg pain, your discomfort may also be due to an underlying condition.

A doctor can rule out any other underlying cause of your leg pain.

Also, contact a doctor if you have recurrent leg pain every month during or before your period. A doctor can recommend lifestyle strategies or prescribe medication to improve your symptoms.

Summary

Endometriosis is a chronic health condition, and no cure is currently available. However, people with this condition can manage their symptoms through medication and lifestyle measures. A doctor may recommend surgery to relieve severe symptoms.

Endometriosis causes endometrial-like tissue to grow outside the uterus. This growth can cause nerve entrapment and inflammation, leading to various symptoms, including leg pain.

Rarely, endometrial-like growth can affect the sciatic nerve, causing pain that radiates from the buttocks to the legs and feet.

If you frequently experience leg pain or it worsens during your period, consider speaking with a doctor. Endometriosis can cause nerve damage and other complications when left untreated.

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