A Diagnosis Hidden in the Menstrual Cycle
What if a recurring respiratory symptom was not actually a lung infection?
I recently came across a fascinating case of an 18-year-old woman with thoracic endometriosis syndrome, a rare form of endometriosis that affects structures within the chest.
She had experienced recurrent bleeding and respiratory symptoms around the time of her menstrual periods. Because pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis are common and important diagnoses in our setting, she had previously been evaluated and treated for these conditions. Yet her symptoms kept returning.
The turning point was simple but powerful: asking when the symptoms occurred in relation to her menstrual cycle.
The clear cyclical pattern raised suspicion for thoracic endometriosis. After appropriate evaluation, the diagnosis was made, and she responded well to hormonal suppression therapy.
The lesson is bigger than the diagnosis.
As clinicians, we can sometimes focus so heavily on the most common diagnoses that we overlook an important clue sitting right in front of us.
A symptom that repeatedly appears or worsens around menstruation deserves attention.
Thoracic endometriosis is rare, but its manifestations can include catamenial pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemoptysis, and other cyclical thoracic symptoms.
For me, this case reinforces one of the simplest principles in medicine:
The history can be the most powerful diagnostic test.
“Does this happen around your menstrual period?”
Sometimes, the key to a difficult diagnosis is not another test, but asking a better question.
#Endometriosis #ThoracicEndometriosis #WomensHealth #REI
Dr. Abel shiferaw: MD, MPH, Gyn/Obs, REI
@HakimEthio
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1August 29, 2026 5.9K 3 14
