Endometriosis: Fast Facts

Reviewed By:
Joanne Poje Tomasulo, M.D., ACOG

• Endometriosis occurs when tissue of the uterine lining, which is called the endometrium, grows in areas outside the uterus.
  
  
• This condition can cause severe pain and damage organs, frequently the reproductive organs.
  
  
• When the endometrial tissue is outside the uterus, it grows in response to hormone stimulation but cannot be shed. It attaches to organs, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and may create adhesions and scarring.
  
  
• Endometriosis usually occurs during a woman's reproductive years, typically between the ages of 15 and 44 years.
  
  
• This condition is one of the leading causes of female infertility.
  
  
• The cause of endometriosis is unknown. It is not completely understood if the endometrial tissue moves to other locations or develops there as a result of cell changes.
  
  
• Women at higher risk for endometriosis include those who have never given birth, those who have had female surgical procedures and those with menstrual periods that last longer than eight days.
  
  
• The symptoms of endometriosis may include pain during menstruation or sexual intercourse, painful urination or bowel movements during menstruation, heavy menstrual bleeding or any premenstrual bleeding.
  
  
• Some women have no symptoms.
  
  
• Endometriosis is diagnosed by viewing the tissue with a laparoscope and, at times, through biopsy.
  
  
• Treatment for endometriosis can be medical or surgical, depending on a woman's age, symptoms and whether or not she plans to become pregnant.
  
  
• Medical treatments affect the hormonal cycles and may limit the growth of endometriosis. They cannot reverse any damage done by endometrial growths.
  
  
• Surgery is the only way to remove the growths.
  
  
• Conservative surgery attempts to remove just the growths so a woman may still become pregnant.
  
  
• If conservative surgery is unsuccessful, the doctor may perform a hysterectomy and remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
  
  
• Hysterectomy is considered a treatment of last resort for women in their reproductive years. It is likely to end the symptoms, but also ends the opportunity for pregnancy.
  
  
• Even after medical treatments and conservative surgery, many women experience a return of some symptoms and more endometrial growths.
  
  
• It is believed that when a woman reaches menopause, most symptoms gradually lessen and the growths shrink, although studies have not been conducted to confirm this theory.
  
  
• There are no known methods to prevent endometriosis. The disease usually continues unless it is interrupted by pregnancy or treated.