Endometriosis and Leg Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
PAIN. You’re getting this annoying, and sometimes debilitating, pain shooting down your leg.
Not only that…
On top of the leg pain, you’re dealing with all the other painful symptoms that come with endometriosis.
You’re tired. You’re frustrated. And you’re losing hope that things will get better.
Is the leg pain from endometriosis? If so, what’s causing it and how can you fix it?
In this guide, we share how endo may cause leg pain and how you can take action to promote healing from your leg pain and endometriosis in general.
What’s Endometriosis?
According to the Office on Womens’ Health, “Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of your uterus and on other areas in your body where it doesn't belong.”
Endometriosis affects women from age 25 to 40.
There are many theories that hypothesize what could cause endometriosis, however, the definitive cause is still unknown.
Endo is an abnormal, non-cancerous tissue growth that can cause a multitude of symptoms and discomfort.
Symptoms can include:
- Painful periods
- Intense menstrual cramps
- Low back pain
- Painful sex
- Leg pain
- Hip pain
There are many options for treatment to minimize the pain associated with this disorder. Some treatments are more invasive than others and vary according to the severity of the endo.
Where is Endometriosis Pain Felt?
Most people know that endometriosis occurs in the female reproductive system, resulting in symptoms and pain in the lower abdomen area.
What is not commonly known is that endometriosis pain can be experienced in the legs too.
The pain can radiate, feel sharp, and could become intense.
In addition to the normal symptoms of endometriosis, have you also experienced leg pain?
Pain from endo results in:
- Heavier periods
- Painful periods
- Pain during intercourse
- Intense cramps during the menstrual cycle
- Lower back pain.
- Infertility
Surprisingly, this disorder can also cause neuropathy.
What? This sounds scary. What exactly is neuropathy?
It is when nerve damage occurs from endo.This is in extreme cases of endometriosis that have been left untreated.
Why does this matter and what does it have to do with your leg pain?
Neuropathy can manifest itself in the form of sciatica from the low back down one or both legs. In addition, hip pain radiating down the buttocks can also present itself. This is all dependent upon how severe endometriosis is and where exactly the endo is located.
So, you’re not going crazy…
Endometriosis CAN cause leg pain. We’ll share more details in the next section.
Can Endometriosis Cause Leg Pain?
Endometriosis causes many painful symptoms such as:
- Low back pain
- Intense menstrual cramps
- Pain during sex
How is it even possible for leg pain to evolve from this disorder?
Due to the low back pain caused by endometriosis, sciatica can be linked as another symptom.
Many women have reported radiating pain down one or both legs, but are unaware that it can be caused by endometriosis.
Leg pain is easily misdiagnosed as radiating pain can also be caused by underlying issues with the spine.
Damaged nerves cause the radiating pain. Endo can attach to nerves, which results in neuropathy.
Re-read the previous sentence! It’s something I never knew until recently.
I’ll simplify how this all works:
- Endometriosis can attach to your nerves.
- The nerves can get damaged.
- Damaged nerves can lead to leg pain.
Neuropathy is what happens in severe cases of endometriosis. While most pain is localized to the affected areas with endo, sometimes the pain spreads to other areas such as the hips and legs.
How Do I Identify Leg Pain Associated with Endometriosis?
This can be tricky to diagnose because leg pain can occur in many instances.
Leg pain in combination with any of the following symptoms may warrant that endometriosis could be the root cause:
- Painful periods
- Painful intercourse
- Low back pain
- Leg pain before or during menstrual cycles
- Heavy cramping during your monthly period
- Abnormally heavy bleeding during menstrual cycles
- Infertility
It is best to consult with your physician to determine if your leg pain is caused by endometriosis.
If it is caused by your endo, then your doctor might have some treatment options to help.
If it’s not caused by your endo, then your physician can let you know the actual root cause.
Endometriosis Pain in Hips and Legs
It’s evident that endometriosis may cause pain in your legs.
But, can it cause pain in your hips?
Just as neuropathy can lead to leg pain, it can also lead to pain in your hips.
This pain is very similar to the pain in your legs. It can also radiate from the back through the hip and/or down one or both legs. Those who have experienced hip and leg pain have reported that exercise and walking can aggravate it.
Can Endometriosis Cause Back and Leg Pain?
Okay, so we’ve shared that neuropathy, which can be caused by endometriosis, can lead to leg and hip pain.
But, can it lead to back pain as well?
Yep, it definitely can.
Although it is rare, the tissue growth associated with endometriosis can attach to the spine, leading to low back pain.
Endometriosis Leg and Foot Pain
Endometriosis can cause leg pain, but can it cause foot pain?
One thing can lead to another.
In the case of endometriosis, the abnormal tissue growth can create a domino effect from one area of the body to another.
Leg Pain Associated with Endometriosis: Is It Common?
Leg pain associated with endometriosis is rare and even more of a rarity is foot pain.
However, it is still a possible occurrence depending upon the severity of the endo within and outside of the pelvic region.
If endo attaches to nerves, it can result in neuropathy. This explains how hip and leg pain might occur from this disorder.
Treatment for Leg Pain Associated with Endometriosis
There are many ways to treat leg pain associated with endometriosis.
While some are conventional, others are unconventional and holistic. The important thing is to consult with your doctor prior to any treatments.
If you prefer holistic ways of healing, this list is for you.
Here are several remedies that might help alleviate some of the pain.
- Physical Therapy
- Acupuncture
- NSAIDS
- Excision Surgery
- Elevating the legs
- Stretching
- Ice packs
- Massage
At Chiavaye we do not claim to be doctors. Before you choose these treatment options, we highly recommend that you visit your doctor.
Conventional Treatment for Endometriosis Leg Pain
After trying minimally invasive methods for treating leg pain associated with endometriosis, it’s important to consider these procedures that would not only help alleviate the pain, but get to the root and underlying issue of the pain.
Always consult with your doctor to determine what would be best for your particular situation.
- Hormone Therapy
- Laparoscopic Excision of the Endo
At Chiavaye we do not claim to be doctors. Before you choose these treatment options, we highly recommend that you visit your doctor.
Natural Treatment for Endometriosis Leg Pain
At Chiavaye, we like to focus on natural treatment if possible.
There are numerous ways to manage the pain holistically.
We are sure you have tried a combination of things to alleviate the pain you are feeling, but have you tried any of the suggestions in the list below?
As always, it is best to consult with your physician first before trying out all pain management strategies listed here:
- Acupuncture
- Stretching
- Physical Therapy
- CBD Oil
- Massage
- Elevating the legs
- Using Ice packs
- Use Chiavaye
Pain associated with endometriosis doesn’t have to rule your life.
We hope this guide has given you the information and inspiration needed to manage your pain effectively.
At Chiavaye we do not claim to be doctors. Before you choose these treatment options, we highly recommend that you visit your doctor.
