Deep Disease
Can endometriosis cause kidney problems?
The short answer
Yes, endometriosis can indirectly affect the kidneys by narrowing or blocking the ureters, the tubes that drain urine to the bladder. Urine can then back up into a kidney and threaten kidney function over time, even with minimal urinary symptoms.
Yes, endometriosis can affect the kidneys indirectly when it involves the ureters (the tubes that drain urine from the kidneys to the bladder). Deep endometriosis can grow on or around a ureter and cause narrowing or blockage, which can lead to urine backing up into the kidney, known as hydronephrosis. Over time, that pressure can threaten kidney function.
Ureter involvement can be especially tricky because it can be silent: some people have minimal urinary symptoms, or symptoms that don’t feel like a kidney issue at all, until imaging shows swelling of a kidney. When urinary symptoms do happen, they may resemble bladder irritation (burning, pressure, painful urination) that worsens cyclically rather than obvious signs like visible blood in the urine.
If you have known or suspected deep endometriosis, new urinary symptoms, recurrent UTI complaints with negative cultures, flank or back pain, or imaging that mentions hydronephrosis, our team takes that seriously and evaluates the full urinary tract, not just the pelvis. We can help map where disease may be affecting the bladder and ureters and discuss treatment options, including minimally invasive excision when appropriate. Reach out to schedule a consultation.
Where to go from here
Understand it, compare it with what you're feeling, then talk it through with us.
Step 1 · Understand
Understand the condition
Step 2 · Compare
Symptoms it can relate to
Step 3 · Speak with Us
Protect your kidneys from deep endometriosis
Deep endometriosis can silently narrow or block a ureter and put kidney function at risk. Our specialists can evaluate ureter involvement with the right imaging and coordinate treatment to relieve obstruction and protect your kidneys.
Questions people ask next
All deep disease questionsCan endometriosis cause hydronephrosis?
Yes, endometriosis can cause hydronephrosis by narrowing or compressing the ureter, the tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder, causing urine to back up in the kidney. This may happen without obvious urinary symptoms and can threaten kidney function over time.
Can endometriosis block a ureter without pain?
Yes, endometriosis can compress or narrow a ureter with little to no pelvic pain, especially when scarring gradually narrows it over time. This can silently back urine up toward the kidney, causing swelling and risking loss of kidney function.
Can endometriosis be life-threatening?
Endometriosis is not typically life-threatening, but it can become medically serious when it affects organs. Rare complications include bowel obstruction or silent kidney damage, while chest involvement can be associated with a collapsed lung in a small subset of patients.
Can endometriosis cause urinary urgency or bladder pain?
Yes, endometriosis can be associated with urinary urgency, frequency, and bladder pain. In some patients it involves the bladder wall, but similar symptoms can come from overlapping conditions such as interstitial cystitis or pelvic floor dysfunction.
Further reading
Bladder, Ureter, and Urinary Symptoms You Didn’t Expect
Discover how urinary tract endometriosis affects symptoms like painful urination, and learn about evaluation and treatment. Explore expert insights!
What is Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis? Understanding the Basics
Discover deep infiltrating endometriosis, its symptoms, and diagnosis. Learn how it differs from other types of endometriosis for better management.
Bladder Endometriosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Learn about bladder endometriosis, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Understand the complexities to find effective pain management solutions.
