Body & health

Endometriosis

Alsoendoendometreosisendometriosis pain

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

Endometriosis is a long-term condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body, most often in the pelvis, causing inflammation, pain and sometimes fertility problems.

At a glance

  • Tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, most often in the pelvis.
  • The WHO estimates it affects roughly one in ten women and girls of reproductive age worldwide.
  • Symptoms can include very painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, pain during sex, fatigue and fertility problems.
  • Diagnosis is often delayed by years because period pain is wrongly treated as normal.
  • Treatment aims to control symptoms and can include pain relief, hormonal medication and surgery.

In detail

The WHO estimates that endometriosis affects roughly one in ten women and girls of reproductive age worldwide. Symptoms can include very painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, pain during or after sex, pain when passing urine or stools, fatigue and difficulty getting pregnant. Some people have few symptoms.

Diagnosis is often delayed by years because period pain is wrongly treated as normal. Treatment aims to control symptoms and can include pain relief, hormonal medication and surgery. Pain that stops someone from going to school or work is a good reason to ask a doctor about endometriosis.

In a sentence

  • It took years for her endometriosis to be diagnosed because her pain was dismissed as normal.
  • The charity runs an awareness week to help people recognise the signs of endometriosis.

Where the word comes from

Built from endometrium, the lining of the uterus (Greek endon, within, and metra, womb), with the suffix -osis for a condition.

Not to be confused with

  • PCOS

    PCOS is a hormonal condition affecting ovulation, not the growth of tissue outside the uterus.

Common questions

Is very painful period pain normal?

Some cramping is common, but pain that stops you going to school or work is not something you should simply put up with. It is a good reason to ask a doctor about endometriosis and other possible causes.

Can endometriosis be cured?

It is a long-term condition. Treatment aims to control symptoms and can include pain relief, hormonal medication and surgery, depending on the person and their goals, including whether they want to get pregnant. A specialist can explain the options.

Related terms

Sources

  1. WHOEndometriosis
  2. NHSEndometriosis
  3. ACOGEndometriosis