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8 key facts to know about endometriosis

This ‘invisible’ condition affects 1 out of 10 people who menstruate.

Updated on August 25, 2023

Tired woman sleeping on couch
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Extreme cramping, heavy bleeding, and digestive issues: They're all just part of a typical period, right? Not exactly. They could be signs of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is often described as an "invisible" disease because the signs may mimic those of other health conditions. And because endometriosis is tied to the menstrual cycle, many people simply assume it’sShow More

a young white woman patient speaks to her healthcare provider about pelvic cramps
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Endometriosis Is More Than Just Bad Cramps

“Every month when you have your period, your body expels the endometrium that lines your uterus,” says Smith. "When you have endometriosis, the tissue that grows outside of the uterus bleeds, too, and can cause significant pain and cramping."

But because the endometrial tissue outside the uterusShow More

Women holding hands
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Endometriosis Affects 1 In 10

Endometriosis is a common condition, affecting about 10 percent of people assigned female at birth—or approximately 190 million worldwide—according to the World Health Organization. It most commonly appears in your 30s and 40s, but can occur any time after you start your menstrual cycle.

DoctorsShow More

Women getting an ultrasound
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Diagnosis Can Be Tricky

Receiving a diagnosis for endometriosis can be a long process. In fact, research shows that it can take between four and 11 years.

One issue is that period pain is often simply considered “normal.” Another issue is that pain doesn't always correspond to the number, size, or location of the endoShow More

Woman holding a pregnancy test
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Endometriosis May Contribute To Infertility

Those with endo are more likely to have difficulty conceiving. According to a study in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, between 30 and 50 percent of women who have endometriosis deal with infertility.

Smith says there are a few theories on how endometriosis and infertility areShow More

a young female doctor speaks with her female patient about a diagnosis
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Endometriosis Is Associated With Cancer

Endometriosis is associated with a greater risk of several types of cancer. A 2021 study in the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found increased risk among participants with endometriosis for endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers (6 percent, 4 percent and almost 2 percent,Show More

Birth control pills
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While there is no cure for endometriosis, there are different treatment options. It can depend on whether or not you are planning to become pregnant. It’s important that you talk with your OBGYN about the option that’s best for you.

Hormonal contraceptives are often the first line of defenseShow More

Surgical instruments on a table
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Surgery Is an Option

For those with severe pain who do not respond to medication or other therapies, surgically removing or destroying the lesions and removing scar tissue via laparoscope may help. This is often just a short-term fix. Research suggests that pain may return in 20 percent of patients within two years andShow More

a young Black medical researcher looks into a microscope as part of her research
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Endometriosis Research And Awareness Are Key

Researchers are actively working to understand endometriosis better, to improve diagnostic tools, pinpoint biomarkers in blood and saliva, and identify gene patterns, all of which could help patients get answers and treatment faster.

March has been declared Endometriosis Awareness Month, andShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

World Health Organization. Endometriosis. March 31, 2021.
Bulletti C, Coccia ME, Battistoni S, Borini A. Endometriosis and infertility. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2010;27(8):441-447.
Dahiya, Alka, Sebastian, Ajit, Thomas, Anitha, George, Rachel, Thomas, Vinotha, Peedicayil, Abraham. Endometriosis and malignancy: The intriguing relationship. The International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. January 8, 2021.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What are the treatments for endometriosis? Reviewed February 2, 2020.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women’s Health. Endometriosis. Page last updated: February 22, 2021.
Agarwal SK, Chapron C, Giudice LC, et al. Clinical diagnosis of endometriosis: a call to action. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019;220(4):354.e1-354.e12.
Kvaskoff M, Horne AW, Missmer SA. Informing women with endometriosis about ovarian cancer risk. Lancet. 2017;390(10111):2433-2434.
Members of the Endometriosis Guideline Core Group, Becker CM, Bokor A, et al. ESHRE guideline: endometriosis. Hum Reprod Open. 2022;2022(2):hoac009. Published 2022 Feb 26.
Li, XY., Chao, XP., Leng, JH. et al. Risk factors for postoperative recurrence of ovarian endometriosis: long-term follow-up of 358 women. J Ovarian Res 12, 79 (2019).
Nirgianakis K, Ma L, McKinnon B, Mueller MD. Recurrence Patterns after Surgery in Patients with Different Endometriosis Subtypes: A Long-Term Hospital-Based Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2020;9(2):496. Published 2020 Feb 11.

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