There are varying degrees of severity with EDS, that can range from having loose joints which may dislocate easily with few other complications, to connective tissues which are so fragile - the skin splits and gaps with minimal injury, extreme dislocations/laxity of joints which don't stay in place, major blood vessels may rupture and produce internal bleeding or the bowel may rupture. EDS may include:

Fragile soft velvet-like skin, some may have stretchy skin (hyperextensibility), or very doughy skin, and/or some have thin skin which shows the underlying blood vessels. Fragile skin that tears and easy bruising can be mild to severe, some individuals have the characteristic "cigarette paper" scars, slow healing can be a problem, severe scarring; slow and poor wound healing; development of molluscoid pseudotumors (fleshy lesions associated with scars over pressure areas).

Joint hypermobility; loose/unstable joints which are prone to frequent dislocations and/or subluxations; joint pain; hyperextensible joints (they move beyond the joint's normal range); shoulders, spine, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, and laxity in the hands and fingers. and early onset of osteoarthritis.

Aortic root dilatation, aortic aneurysms, aortic rupture, bowel rupture, uterine fragility have all been noted in patients with EDS. More commonly found in the Vascular Type, though.

Chronic, early onset, debilitating musculoskeletal pain (usually associated with the Hypermobility Type); Scoliosis at birth and scleral fragility (associated with the Kyphoscoliosis Type); poor muscle tone (associated with the Arthrochalasia Type); mitral valve prolapse; and gum disease.