Endometriosis

Endometriosis is thought to affect more than 11% of American women between ages 15 and 44. Learn more about this painful condition, its symptoms, possible causes and treatments.

What is endometriosis?

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis (pronounced as "en-doh-mee-tree-OH-sus") is a condition where the tissue lining your uterus (womb) grows outside of the uterus. This tissue (called the endometrium) spreads and forms clumps on other organs nearby. These clumps are sometimes called “implants.” They can grow on:

Your ovaries
Your fallopian tubes
The outside wall of your uterus

Your intestines
Other organs in your belly

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms of endometriosis are:

Pain and cramping
More bleeding than normal during your period
Bleeding from your vagina when it’s not your period
Trouble getting pregnant
Blood in your urine or stool

Painful sex

Endometriosis can cause pain in your:

Lower belly
Rectum

Vagina
Lower back

Endometriosis isn’t dangerous, but it can cause other problems. Even though the tissue grows outside your uterus, it still acts how it would inside your uterus. It sheds and bleeds each month during your period. But it can’t exit through your vagina each month like it normally would. This can cause painful cramps. If there’s a buildup of implants outside your uterus, it can affect other organs. It may create scar tissue or bind organs together.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who menstruates (gets their period) can get endometriosis. Some things can increase or lower your risk. You may have higher risk of endometriosis if:

A close family member has or had endometriosis
Your period started before age 11
Your monthly cycle is shorter than 27 days
Your period is heavy and lasts more than 7 days

You may have a lower risk if you:

Have been pregnant
Started getting your period at an older age
Breastfeed your babies

Experts aren't sure what causes endometriosis. Problems with your reproductive organs could be a cause. They might allow the cells lining your uterus to move up and into your belly. Endometriosis may also be a problem with the immune system. A healthy immune system would normally kill off stray cells from the uterus before they can grow elsewhere.

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and your menstrual cycles. They may do a pelvic exam. You may have different imaging tests done to help your doctor see if you have endometriosis. These could include an ultrasound, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a surgery where a tiny camera on a tube goes into a small incision in your lower belly.

Treatment choices depend on whether you want to control pain or get pregnant. They include:

Pain medicines like ibuprofen or naproxen (which can also help with bleeding)
A prescription for hormone medications to help get rid of implants
Laparoscopy to remove implants and scar tissue, lower pain and help you get pregnant
Surgery to remove your uterus and ovaries (for severe pain)