Understanding Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects 10% of women and people assigned female at birth worldwide.
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It is characterized by endometrial-like cells growing outside of the uterus, which can cause scarring, lesions and adhesions.
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Symptoms can range from none at all to severe, and include pain, abnormal menstrual cycles, fatigue and infertility.
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It takes an average of seven years to diagnose correctly due to its complexity and limited diagnostic options.
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The normalization of pelvic and menstrual pain may also contribute to long diagnosis times.
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The exact cause is unknown, but it is currently widely believed to be due to retrograde menstruation and hormonal influences.
There is no permanant cure, but it can be managed by pain medication, hormonal therapies, and surgery.
It has major social, public health, and economic impacts, as severe chronic pain and complications from the disease can greatly reduce quality of life and result in lost work and medical costs.
World Health Organization, 2023
Quick Facts
Symptom Guide
Scientific understanding of endometriosis as a full-body disease continues to develop. Though symptoms often present in the pelvis and reproductive organs, other bodily systems are implicated and impacted as well. Explore symptoms by hovering over the images to the left. Consider discussing symptoms or concerns with your healthcare provider.
What's Next for Patients?
With a global influx of funding and attention on endometriosis, researchers are examining the disease in new ways. Research focused on the genetic makeup of endometriosis, its biological processes, how it spreads and grows, and its interactions with other bodily cells and systems are all at the forefront. Knowing more about endometriosis at the molecular level may allow scientists to identify new diagnostic biomarkers that are less invasive than current options. Teasing out cellular processes could mean more specific and targeted treatments. And learning more about chronic pain pathways may help find ways to alleviate it. The research is still in progress, and you can view updates and highlights under the Research tab.