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Endometriosis
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Women

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing pain and fertility challenges.

What is endometriosis?

The uterus, or womb, is the place where a fetus grows during pregnancy. The uterus is lined with tissue (endometrium). Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue like the lining of the uterus grows in other places in your body. These patches of tissue are called "implants," "nodules," or "lesions." They are most often found:

  • On or under the ovaries
  • On the fallopian tubes, which carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus
  • Behind the uterus
  • On the tissues that hold the uterus in place
  • On the bowels or bladder

In rare cases, the tissue may grow on your lungs or in other parts of your body.

What causes endometriosis?

Researchers don't know what causes endometriosis.

Who is at risk for endometriosis?

Endometriosis can affect anyone who menstruates. Certain factors can raise or lower your risk of getting it.

You are at higher risk if:

  • You have a mother, sister, or daughter with endometriosis
  • Your period started before age 11
  • Your monthly cycles are short (less than 27 days)
  • Your menstrual cycles are heavy and last more than 7 days

You have a lower risk if:

  • You have been pregnant before
  • Your periods started late in adolescence
  • You breastfeed your babies

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

The main symptoms of endometriosis are:

  • Pelvic pain, which often happens during your period
  • Infertility

Other possible symptoms include:

  • Painful menstrual cramps, which may get worse over time
  • Pain during or after sex
  • Pain in the intestine or lower abdomen
  • Pain with bowel movements (pooping) or urination (peeing), usually during your period
  • Heavy periods
  • Spotting or bleeding between periods
  • Digestive or gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Fatigue or lack of energy

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Surgery is the only way to know for sure that you have endometriosis. First, however, your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will have a pelvic exam and may have some imaging tests.

The most common surgery to diagnose endometriosis is a laparoscopy. This is a type of surgery that uses a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera and light. The surgeon inserts the laparoscope through a small cut in the skin near your belly button. Your provider can make a diagnosis based on how the patches of endometriosis look. They may also do a biopsy to get a tissue sample.

What are the treatments for endometriosis?

There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are treatments for the symptoms. Your provider will work with you to decide which treatments would be best for you.

Treatments for endometriosis pain include:

  • Pain relievers, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen and a prescription medicine specifically for endometriosis. Providers may sometimes prescribe opioids for severe pain.
  • Hormone therapy, which stops the ovaries from making hormones. This may slow the growth of the endometrial tissue and may stop new areas from growing. Types of hormone therapy include:
    • Birth control pills.
    • Progestin therapy.
    • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) medicines (GnRH agonists and antagonists). These medicines cause a temporary menopause. After you stop taking the medicines, your menstrual periods will start again, and pregnancy is possible.
  • Surgical treatments for severe pain, including procedures to remove the endometriosis patches or cut some nerves in the pelvis. The surgery may be a laparoscopy or major surgery.

Treatments for infertility caused by endometriosis include:

  • Laparoscopy to remove the endometriosis patches
  • In vitro fertilization

Frequently Asked Questions

While pelvic exams and imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs can suggest endometriosis, the only way to definitively diagnose it is through laparoscopy. This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where a doctor uses a small camera to view the inside of the abdomen and pelvis and take a biopsy of suspected lesions. Many patients experience long delays in diagnosis because symptoms like pelvic pain are often attributed to other common issues.
Endometriosis is currently considered a chronic condition with no known permanent cure. However, it can be effectively managed. Symptoms may go into remission, especially after menopause when estrogen levels drop, but they can also return. Ongoing management typically involves a combination of medication, lifestyle modifications, and periodic monitoring to control pain and monitor for recurrence.
Treatment depends on whether you wish to become pregnant. For pain management, options include hormonal therapies (such as birth control pills, progestins, or GnRH agonists) to suppress the growth of endometrial tissue, and pain medications. For those seeking fertility, surgical removal of endometrial implants via laparoscopy may be recommended, often followed by assisted reproductive technologies like IVF if natural conception does not occur.
Endometriosis affects fertility in about 30 to 50 percent of women who have the condition, but it does not mean you cannot have children. The tissue growth can cause scarring or blockages in the fallopian tubes or affect egg quality. However, many women with endometriosis conceive naturally or with assistance. It is important to discuss your fertility goals with a specialist early, as some treatments for pain may delay conception.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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