QC: Endometriosis in Teens: Red Flags Doctors Miss and Families Normalize

Send us a text with a question or thought on this episode ( We cannot replay from this link)

We challenge the myth that teens are “too young” for endometriosis and show how to spot red flags that go far beyond “normal cramps.” Dr. Megan Wasson shares clear signs, family dynamics that normalize pain, and steps to get answers sooner.

• redefining normal: pain as more than an inconvenience
• family patterns that normalize severe period pain
• the pediatrician pitfall: quick dismissal without probing
• functional impact: missed school, sports, and social life
• pain outside bleeding days as a key clue
• GI symptoms that flare around menses
• practical steps: symptom tracking and focused questions
• when to escalate: specialists, imaging, and tailored care

Do you have more questions? Keep them coming. Send them in, and I'll bring you the expert answers. You can send them in by using the link in the top of the description of this podcast episode or by emailing [e-mail] or visiting the Endobattery.com contact page

Support the show

Website endobattery.com

Instagram: EndoBattery

Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Endometriosis doesn't care how old you are.

(00:02):
Maybe you're a teen withsymptoms and no one can explain.
Let's be honest.
Many have heard you're too youngfor endometriosis.
In this episode, Dr.
Megan Wasson, Chair of Medicaland Surgical Gynecology at the
Mayo Clinic, walks us throughwhat endocreasymptoms that are
too often dismissed in yourreproductive years.
Dr.
Wasson brings clarity, passion,and real insight into the care

(00:24):
we all deserve.
So grab your favorite drink,take a deep breath, and join us
because you are not alone inthis fight.
Life moves fast, and so shouldthe answers to your biggest
questions.
Welcome to Endo Batteries QuickConnect, your direct line to
expert insights.
Short, powerful, and right tothe point.
You send in the questions, Ibring in the experts, and in

(00:46):
just five minutes, you get theknowledge you need.
No long episodes, no extra timeneeded.
And just remember, expertopinions shared here are for
general information and not forpersonalized medical advice.
Always consult your provider foryour case-specific guidance.
Got a question?
Send it in, and let's quicklyget you the answers.
I'm your host, Alana, and it'stime to connect.

(01:13):
Today's guest is someone whobrings a deep expertise,
compassion, and innovation tothe field of gynecology.
Dr.
Megan Wasson is the chair of theDepartment of Medical and
Surgical Gynecology at the MayoClinic in Arizona and a
professor of obstetrics andgynecology at the Mayo Clinic
College of Medicine and Science.
Her clinical focus includesendometriosis, chronic pelvic

(01:34):
pain, and advanced surgicaltechniques.
Dr.
Wasson is helping redefine whatcare can look like for patients
around the world.
Please help me in welcoming Dr.
Megan Wasson.
What are some early warningsigns of endometriosis in
adolescence that often getdismissed as normal period
pains?

SPEAKER_01 (01:52):
Yeah, so exactly what you just said is number
one, that it's quote unquotenormal period pain.
That unfortunately there's a lotof generational trauma that can
almost happen that because weknow there is a familial
component to endometriosis, thatif mom had endometriosis and
really, really struggled withpainful cycles, and then her
daughter is now starting to havecycles and really struggling,

(02:14):
they don't know any different.
And so the mom tells thedaughter, yeah, this is your
cycle.
This is just what it is.
So there's that huge elementthat can happen that the family
is normalizing it.
Now, if an individual goes andtalks to her doctor, most
commonly the pediatrician is whois going to be the first
sounding board for this.
And they say, Yeah, I'm havingcramps, and the pediatrician

(02:35):
doesn't delve into it anyfurther, and they say, Well,
yeah, everyone has cramps withtheir period.
It gets dismissed, and that'swhere the cycle starts
happening.
That that patient may neverbring it up again because, well,
I told my doctor and they saidit was normal.
So yeah, I guess this is justwhat it means to be a woman and
what it means to have my cycle.
And so that's where we need todo better very early.

(02:56):
In terms of specific symptoms towatch for, my best
recommendation is always tothink about your period just as
an inconvenience.
If someone is having symptomswith their cycle, that is more
than an inconvenience, ifthey're having to change their
activities, they're not able todo their sports, they're not
able to dance, they're not ableto go to school, they're missing

(03:17):
going to the movies with theirfriends because of their
menstrual cycle, that is notnormal.
That should absolutely perk earsand raise red flags that maybe
something should be investigateda little bit further.
Specifically for the adolescentpopulation, we also know that
it's very common to have painoutside of the menstrual cycle.
So if individuals are havingpain not just with bleeding, but

(03:40):
complaining about pelviccramping, discomfort, even
outside of that time frame, thatshould also heighten our
suspicion.
There can also be a lot of theweird vague symptoms that can
carry on truly throughout life.
So nausea, diarrhea with themenstrual cycle.
So anything along those linesshould at least elevate the
suspicion that endometriosis isa possibility.

SPEAKER_00 (04:02):
That's a wrap for this quick connect.
I hope today's insights helpedyou move forward with more
clarity and confidence.
Do you have more questions?
Keep them coming.
Send them in, and I'll bring youthe expert answers.
You can send them in by usingthe link in the top of the
description of this podcastepisode or by emailing contact
at indobattery.com or visitingthe Indobattery.com contact

(04:26):
page.
Until next time, keep feelingempowered through knowledge.