How common is the symptom Leg pain among people with endometriosis?
79,24% of people with endometriosis reported Leg pain as a symptom of endometriosis in our survey.
How common is the symptom Leg pain among people with endometriosis compared to the non-affected group?
17,99% of people with endometriosis suffer from the symptom Leg pain very strong compared to a prevalence of 2,52% among non-affected individuals.
The following table shows the symptom Leg pain in people with endometriosis compared to non-affected individuals. The scale ranges from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very strong).
| Symptom severity | Endometriosis | Non-affected | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| not at all | 20,76% | 63,52% | -42,76% |
| slightly | 13,38% | 16,35% | -2,97% |
| moderate | 23,93% | 8,81% | 15,13% |
| strong | 23,93% | 8,81% | 15,13% |
| very strong | 17,99% | 2,52% | 15,48% |
Based on the datasets, we calculated the Kendall correlation. The following symptoms could be related to Leg pain.
| Symptom name | Correlation |
|---|---|
| Numbness in legs | moderate correlation (46,00%) |
| Limb pain | moderate correlation (42,00%) |
| Joint pain | moderate correlation (41,00%) |
| Back pain | moderate correlation (34,00%) |
| Exhaustion / Fatigue | weak correlation (27,00%) |
| Dizziness | weak correlation (25,00%) |
| Shoulder pain | weak correlation (25,00%) |
| Kidney pain | weak correlation (23,00%) |
| Nausea | weak correlation (22,00%) |
| Abdominal pain outside the lower abdomen | weak correlation (22,00%) |
| Numbness in hands | weak correlation (21,00%) |
| Pain after intercourse | weak correlation (20,00%) |
| Headaches / Migraine | weak correlation (20,00%) |
| Shortness of breath | weak correlation (20,00%) |
| Pain during urination | weak correlation (20,00%) |
Leg pain can, alongside numerous other conditions, also be triggered by endometriosis. The pain may occur in temporal relation to your period or be present continuously (chronic). It arises when endometriosis lesions involve the sciatic nerve or the sacral roots. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. It is sometimes referred to as the “central signal relay” and, working together with the spinal cord, transmits information from the brain to the legs. The sciatic nerve is located in the middle of the pelvis. The sacral roots are located in the lesser pelvis. They consist of several nerve bundles that exit the spinal cord. They are situated more toward the back of the pelvis, near the rectum and the ureter. Both the sciatic nerve and the sacral roots can be affected by endometriosis. In both cases, leg pain occurs, but with different characteristics. The prognosis—meaning the course if left untreated—also differs greatly. In each case, the triggers are endometriosis lesions that form in the region of the nerve and can impair its function or even destroy it.
Leg pain due to endometriosis of the sciatic nerve affects the back of the thigh and the lower leg. You may experience the pain as burning and electric. Back pain, pain in the buttock, progressive muscle weakness, and altered reflexes can also occur. The front of the thighs remains pain-free. If left untreated, endometriosis of the sciatic nerve can lead to destruction of the nerve. Surgery is therefore usually necessary, but because of the associated risks it should be in the hands of experienced specialists.
Leg pain caused by endometriosis lesions at the sacral roots is described as less aggressive. Here, the pain begins in the area of the vulva and perineum as well as the inner aspect of the buttocks and spreads into the legs. The posterior and inner regions of the legs are affected. However, even as the disease progresses, the nerves remain undamaged.