What happens when a woman has endometriosis? What color is period blood when you have endometriosis?

A woman with endometriosis has a decreased quality of life due to chronic pelvic pain, pain during or after sex, fatigue, depression, anxiety,  infertility, and bowel or bladder problems.

When a woman has endometriosis, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside and continues to thicken, break down, and bleed in response to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle.

However, unlike the tissue that is shed during menstruation, this blood has no way to leave the body and can cause inflammation, scar tissue, and adhesions.

The colour of period blood when you have endometriosis can vary depending on factors such as the thickness of the uterine lining and how long the blood has been sitting in the uterus.

Blood that occurs due to spotting may be red, pink, or brown. People with more advanced stages of endometriosis may have ovarian cysts which contain old blood. Period blood can range from bright red to dark brown or black and may have a thicker or clotted consistency.