Endometriosis and Urinary Tract Complaints: Its Effects on the Bladder

Endometriosis is a disease that can affect different organs in the pelvic region, and these effects are not limited to the uterus alone. Bladder and urinary tract complaints are among the overlooked but common effects of endometriosis. Involvement occurring on the bladder can lead to different urinary tract problems in many individuals who have this disease. 

Endometriosis develops with the spread of tissue from outside the uterus to the pelvic organs. The bladder is one of these affected organs. The effect of endometriosis on the bladder appears either with the tissue settling directly on the bladder wall or with the nerve structures around the bladder being affected. This condition disrupts bladder functions and can cause different urinary tract problems.

Frequent Urination: The bladder being affected by endometriosis can lead to a need to urinate frequently. This condition usually shows itself in the form of an increased urge to pass urine throughout the day and getting up at night to urinate.

Pain or Burning When Passing Urine: Women with endometriosis may experience pain or a burning sensation when passing urine. This condition may arise from the bladder wall being affected.

A Feeling of Pressure in the Bladder: Endometriosis tissue on the bladder wall can prevent the bladder from emptying normally. This in turn can lead to a feeling of pressure or fullness in the bladder.

A Feeling of Not Emptying Completely When Passing Urine: Endometriosis can prevent the bladder from emptying completely. This in turn causes people not to be able to feel fully relieved when passing urine.

Urinary Tract Discomfort After Intercourse: The spread of endometriosis to the pelvic region can cause a feeling of discomfort when passing urine after sexual intercourse.

The effects of endometriosis on the bladder can usually be confused with conditions such as a urinary tract infection or interstitial cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). However, no sign of infection is found in the urine tests carried out. This in turn can make it difficult for patients to receive a correct diagnosis.
In addition, the effects on the bladder are usually confused with pelvic pain and other gynaecological symptoms. For this reason, the effects of endometriosis related to the bladder can sometimes be overlooked.

In order for bladder complaints caused by endometriosis to be diagnosed correctly, urine tests alone may not be sufficient. Complaints of this kind should be assessed with advanced imaging techniques such as specialised pelvic MRI, cystoscopy (observation of the inside of the bladder) and laparoscopy. Thanks to these methods, endometriosis foci on the bladder can be detected more clearly.

There are several different options in the treatment of the effects of endometriosis on the bladder:
Drug Therapy: Painkillers, hormone therapy and anti-inflammatory medications can help to relieve the symptoms.

Surgical Intervention: Surgically clearing the endometriosis foci on the bladder wall can offer a permanent solution.

Pelvic Physical Therapy: Treatment aimed at strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can relieve the difficulties experienced when passing urine.

Botox Application: Botox application with the aim of achieving relaxation in the pelvic muscles may also be effective in some patients.
Bladder complaints that do not pass may be not only a urological but a gynaecological sign.