Endometriosis

Evidence-based guides on recognizing, diagnosing, and treating endometriosis throughout life—including deep infiltrating, bowel, bladder, diaphragm disease, and endometriomas—plus fertility, cancer signs, pain, and work and disability.

Bladder Endometriosis Bowel Endometriosis Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Diaphragmatic Endometriosis Endometriomas Menopause & Hormonal Transitions Stages & Progression Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome (TES)

Overview

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, most often on the ovaries, peritoneum, bowel, bladder, diaphragm, and nerves. It can cause severe period and pelvic pain, pain with sex, bowel or urinary symptoms, fatigue, and sometimes infertility—yet some people have few signs. Symptoms can begin in adolescence, fluctuate with hormones, and persist after pregnancy or menopause, affecting school, work, and daily life.

Guides here focus on recognizing patterns of disease, the path to diagnosis, and options to control symptoms and protect fertility over time. Learn when to use clinical evaluation and Diagnostics & Imaging such as Ultrasound and MRI, when laparoscopy is considered, and how results shape care. Explore approaches ranging from hormone and pain therapies to organ‑sparing Surgery and Excision Surgery, complemented by whole‑person support within Integrative & Holistic Medicine. For organ‑specific information see Bowel Endometriosis, Bladder Endometriosis, Diaphragmatic Endometriosis, and Endometriomas. Distinguish endometriosis from coexisting Adenomyosis and understand implications for Fertility & Reproductive Health and Menopause & Hormonal Transitions.

Common Questions

Why does ovarian cyst pain keep coming back?
Ovarian cyst pain can return because new cysts form with ovulation, a cyst persists or comes back, or nearby endometriosis or scar-like bands cause pain. An endometrioma, a cyst caused by endometriosis, may be associated with deeper pelvic disease.
Why do I have chronic fatigue and pelvic pain?
Chronic fatigue and pelvic pain can come from endometriosis, adenomyosis, or more than one condition. Inflammation, disrupted sleep, heavy bleeding and ongoing pain can drive fatigue, while the nervous system can become more pain-sensitive over time.
Why is my period pain so severe that it disrupts my daily life?
Severe period pain that disrupts daily life may signal endometriosis, adenomyosis, or another underlying cause. Worsening pain, poor relief with NSAIDs and heat, heavy bleeding, or pain between periods warrant evaluation, even when imaging looks normal.
How rare is endosalpingiosis?
Endosalpingiosis is generally considered uncommon, but how rare it is depends on who is studied and how it is found. Many cases are found incidentally when tissue is examined after surgery for other reasons, so it is likely underrecognized.