Endometriosis in Your Lungs?! Yep — It’s Real (and You're Not Alone)
Endometriosis has a reputation for messing with periods and pelvic pain — but did you know it can travel all the way to your chest and lungs? It’s called Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome (TES), and even though it’s rare, it’s a major disruptor for anyone who experiences it.
It’s time to shine a spotlight on this sneaky form of endo — because awareness = power. And at KUSHIE
💔 What Exactly Is Thoracic Endometriosis?
Imagine endometriosis lesions — the same ones that grow in your pelvis — setting up camp in your chest cavity, usually around your lungs or diaphragm. These rogue tissues act just like they would in your uterus: swelling, shedding, and triggering inflammation with every cycle. Only this time, they’re cramping your breathing, not just your uterus.
It’s like having period cramps... in your chest. 🤠
Sources:
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Alifrangis, C., Nagra, S., & Bekker, M. (2020). Thoracic Endometriosis: Current Diagnostic and Management Strategies. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research.
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Nezhat, C., et al. (2019). Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology.
😤 What Causes It? (Spoiler: We Don’t Have All the Answers)
Researchers are still piecing together the puzzle, but here’s what they suspect:
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🛸 Tissue Traffic Jam: Endo cells may hitch a ride from your pelvis to your chest through your lymphatic system.
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✂️ Surgical Stowaways: Past surgeries (like C-sections or pelvic surgeries) could accidentally relocate tissue.
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🔥 Hormones Gone Rogue: Just like pelvic endo, thoracic lesions respond to hormonal changes — especially around your period.
Sources:
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Marshall, M., et al. (2019). Theories on the Pathogenesis of Thoracic Endometriosis. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.
🚨 Symptoms That Deserve to Be Taken Seriously
Thoracic endo doesn’t always show up with flashing lights — but your body will drop some hints. If you experience:
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⚡ Sharp chest pain (especially during your period)
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⚠️ Shortness of breath for no obvious reason
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🩸 Right shoulder pain that feels random AF
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❓ Unexplained lung collapse (pneumothorax)
...it’s time to talk to a specialist who understands endometriosis beyond your uterus.
Sources:
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Nezhat, C., et al. (2019). Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology.
🛑 How Thoracic Endo Wrecks Your Routine
Chronic chest pain + unpredictable breathing issues = a recipe for frustration, fear, and exhaustion.
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✨ Breathing too hard to even walk across the room?
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✨ Struggling to sleep comfortably?
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✨ Scared your lung might collapse at any moment?
This is NOT "just anxiety" — your symptoms deserve respect. And you deserve solutions that center your whole body.
🔎 Why Diagnosing TES is (Wildly) Hard
The symptoms of thoracic endo mimic a million other conditions — so diagnosis can take years. 🙄 Most people bounce between pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, and even cardiologists before someone considers endo outside the pelvis.
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✅ Imaging (CT scans, MRIs) sometimes helps — but lesions are often too small to spot.
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✅ Laparoscopy or thoracoscopy surgery is the gold standard for a true diagnosis.
If doctors dismiss your pain, don’t be afraid to advocate for a specialist who actually knows endometriosis inside AND out.
Sources:
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Alifrangis, C., Nagra, S., & Bekker, M. (2020). Thoracic Endometriosis: Current Diagnostic and Management Strategies. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research.
💡 Managing Thoracic Endo: No One-Size-Fits-All, But You’ve Got Options
Managing thoracic endometriosis isn’t a checklist — it’s a whole lifestyle shift. Here’s what can help:
🔥 Pain Relief That Works for You
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NSAIDs, muscle relaxers, and KUSHIE’s Menstrual Pain Relief Belt — our game-changing, wearable heat therapy that helps ease tension (because whole-body flare-ups are real).
⚖️ Physical Therapy for Your Chest + Pelvis
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Your pelvic floor and diaphragm are BFFs — tension in one can trigger the other.
🥦 Nutrition that Supports Healing
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Anti-inflammatory foods (think leafy greens, berries, healthy fats) can calm your system.
👨⚕️ Find a Specialist Dream Team
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A thoracic surgeon + an endo-experienced gynecologist = your power duo.
🧠 Therapy & Support Groups
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Because living with an invisible illness in your chest takes a mental and emotional toll, too.
✂️ When Surgery Becomes Necessary
For severe cases — especially when lung collapse happens — excision surgery or thoracic surgery may be the best bet for relief. Combine it with hormonal management, lifestyle adjustments, and compassionate care for the best outcomes.
🧡 KUSHIE’s Mission: Your Pain is Real — Your Story Matters
At KUSHIE, we know that endo is so much more than “bad cramps.” It’s a whole-body, whole-life experience — and you deserve products, support, and education that actually meet you where you are.
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✨ That’s why we created the KUSHIE Menstrual Pain Relief Belt, designed to bring comfort wherever you need it — belly, back, or even those referred pain areas like your shoulder.
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✨ And that’s why we’re building a community where menstrual health isn’t taboo — it’s front and center.
📢 Spread the Word — Someone Needs to Hear This
Do you know someone who’s been gaslit about chest pain, shoulder pain, or breathing issues that get worse with their period?
💌 Share this page with them — it could change everything.
For more real talk on menstrual health — from pelvic pain to the most unexpected endo facts — follow @SheKushie on Instagram.
You’re not alone. We see you. We believe you. And we’re fighting with you.