Overview
Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, most often in the pelvis. This tissue can respond to monthly hormone changes, which may lead to inflammation, scarring, and pain. Symptoms and impact vary widely from person to person.
Key Symptoms
Common symptoms include painful periods, ongoing pelvic pain, pain during or after sex, and pain with bowel movements or urination, especially during a period. Some people also have heavy bleeding, bloating, tiredness, or lower back pain. Endometriosis may also be found during evaluation for infertility.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause is not fully understood. Researchers think several factors may play a role, including genetics, immune system factors, and menstrual tissue moving backward through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis. Having a close family member with endometriosis may raise the chance of having it.
Who Is Affected
Endometriosis can affect menstruating people of many ages, including teenagers and adults. It occurs around the world and can affect people of different backgrounds and body sizes. Symptoms may continue for years and can affect school, work, relationships, sleep, and mental well-being.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional may ask about symptoms, menstrual history, pain patterns, fertility concerns, and family history. Evaluation can include a pelvic exam, ultrasound, MRI in some cases, and tests to rule out other causes of pain or bleeding. Laparoscopy, a type of surgery using a small camera, may be used to confirm the diagnosis and sometimes treat visible areas at the same time.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on symptoms, age, pregnancy plans, and how much the condition affects daily life. Options may include pain-relief approaches, hormone-based treatments to reduce menstrual activity, and surgery for some people. Fertility support may also be part of care when pregnancy is a goal.
Living With It
Endometriosis can be physically and emotionally draining, especially when symptoms are dismissed or diagnosis is delayed. Keeping track of pain, bleeding, bowel or bladder symptoms, and how symptoms affect daily activities can help during medical visits. Support from family, peer groups, counseling, or pain specialists may also be helpful.
Diet and Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes do not remove endometriosis, but some people find that regular movement, good sleep habits, stress management, and a balanced diet help them cope with symptoms. Heat, gentle exercise, and planning rest during painful times may also help with comfort. If eating problems, weight changes, or bowel symptoms are significant, discuss them with a healthcare professional.
When to Seek Medical Care
Make a medical appointment if you have severe period pain, pelvic pain that keeps returning, pain during sex, heavy bleeding, bowel or bladder pain around your period, or trouble becoming pregnant. Seek care if symptoms are affecting school, work, sleep, or mental health. Early evaluation can help identify the cause and discuss treatment options.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent medical help right away for sudden severe pelvic or abdominal pain, fainting, signs of heavy bleeding such as soaking through pads quickly, chest pain, trouble breathing, or if you could be pregnant and have severe pain or bleeding. These symptoms can have causes other than endometriosis and need prompt evaluation.
Questions to Ask a Healthcare Professional
You may want to ask what else could be causing your symptoms, what tests might help, and how treatment choices could affect pain, bleeding, fertility, and daily life. It can also help to ask when follow-up is needed and what warning signs should prompt urgent care. If pregnancy is a goal, ask how endometriosis may affect fertility planning.