What is Endometriosis
A disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.
Common
More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
With endometriosis, the tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or the intestines.
The most common symptoms are pain and menstrual irregularities. Effective treatments, such as hormones and excision surgery, are available.
Ages affected
| 14-18 |
Common
|
| 19-40 |
Common
|
| 41-60 |
Common
|
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Symptoms
The primary symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, often associated with your menstrual period. Although many women experience cramping during their menstrual period, women with endometriosis typically describe menstrual pain that's far worse than usual. They also tend to report that the pain increases over time.Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis may include:
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before your period and extend several days into your period. You may also have lower back and abdominal pain.
- Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
- Pain with bowel movements or urination. You're most likely to experience these symptoms during your period.
- Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
- Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
- Other symptoms. You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
The severity of your pain isn't necessarily a reliable indicator of
the extent of the condition. Some women with mild endometriosis have
intense pain, while others with advanced endometriosis may have little
pain or even no pain at all. Endometriosis is sometimes mistaken for other conditions that can
cause pelvic pain, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or ovarian
cysts. It may be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a
condition that causes bouts of diarrhea, constipation and abdominal
cramping. IBS can accompany endometriosis, which can complicate the
diagnosis.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate endometriosis. Endometriosis can be a challenging condition to manage. An early
diagnosis, a multidisciplinary medical team and an understanding of your
diagnosis may result in better management of your symptoms. Mayo Clinic Source
