Endometriosis can cause chest pain. While it’s one of the rarest forms of the disease, it’s also one of the most serious. When you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or a cough that’s tied to your menstrual cycle, it may be a sign of thoracic endometriosis.
At Endometriosis Surgical Specialists International (ESSI), we know that endometriosis is a whole-body disease. Our commitment to patients means investigating all symptoms, no matter how uncommon, to provide a complete diagnosis and a path to relief.
What is Thoracic Endometriosis?
Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome (TES) is a term for when endometrial-like tissue grows inside the chest cavity. This can happen in several places:
- On the diaphragm (the muscle separating your chest and abdomen).
- On the pleura (the delicate lining around your lungs).
- Directly within the lung tissue itself.
Just like in the pelvis, this tissue responds to monthly hormonal changes. When it bleeds and sheds, it has nowhere to go. This causes inflammation, pressure, and pain inside your chest. If lesions are on the pleura, it can cause a sharp, stabbing pain that worsens when you breathe, known as pleuritic chest pain.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chest Symptoms
Q1: What is a catamenial pneumothorax?
This is the most well-known symptom of thoracic endometriosis. It’s a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) that occurs specifically in conjunction with your period (catamenial). It’s believed to happen when endometriosis on the diaphragm or lung creates tiny holes, allowing air to escape the lung and fill the chest cavity. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.
Q2: What other chest symptoms can occur?
Besides chest pain and lung collapse, thoracic endometriosis can cause:
- Cyclical shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Catamenial hemoptysis, or coughing up blood during your period.
- A chest cough that reliably appears with your menstrual cycle.
- Shoulder pain, which is often referred pain from lesions irritating the diaphragm.
Q3: How is this diagnosed?
Diagnosing thoracic endometriosis requires a high degree of suspicion from your doctor. It often involves a chest CT scan or an MRI, but even these may not show the lesions. The definitive diagnosis is often made during surgery, where a surgeon can directly visualize the endometriosis implants inside the chest.
Expert Care for a Complex Condition is Critical
The symptoms of thoracic endometriosis are serious and should never be ignored. If you experience cyclical chest pain, shortness of breath, or a cyclical cough, it’s vital to seek a thorough evaluation.
Treating this condition requires a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team, often involving both an endometriosis excision specialist and a thoracic surgeon. Meticulous surgical excision is the gold standard of care, aiming to remove all visible endometriosis lesions from the diaphragm, pleura, and lungs to prevent recurrence and protect your long-term health.
Your symptoms, no matter how rare, are real and deserve expert attention.
