Endometriosis101.

01

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the lining of your uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of your uterus. Its origins and exact causes still remain unknown(World Health Organization, 2025).

One of the main theories explaining how this tissue reaches outside the uterus is retrograde menstruation. This is where menstrual fluid and cells travel backwards through the fallopian tubes and reach the pelvic cavity instead of leaving the body. The theory suggests that these cells are then able to implant outside the uterus, develop their own blood supply and proliferate. However, retrograde menstruation alone cannot fully explain why endometriosis develops, and other factors are also thought to be involved.

02

What can endometriosis feel like?

Endometriosis can cause severe and chronic pain. This can include painful bowel movements, pain during sexual intercourse, pelvic pain and painful periods. Symptoms are not limited to pain and can also include chronic fatigue, infertility, gastrointestinal symptoms, heavy bleeding and many more(World Health Organization, 2025).

Endometriosis is most commonly found within the pelvis, but it can also affect other areas of the body, including the abdomen and chest, although this is less common(World Health Organization, 2025).

03

How common is endometriosis?

Endometriosis affects around 10% of reproductive-age women worldwide, approximately 190 million people(World Health Organization, 2025).

That's a huge number of people for a condition we still understand surprisingly little about.

Despite affecting such a large portion of the population, there are still major gaps in research and treatment. Diagnosis can take years, with the WHO currently reporting an average diagnostic delay of 4–12 years. Access to diagnosis, treatment and effective pain management also remains limited in many settings(World Health Organization, 2025).

04

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Diagnosis can involve your symptoms and medical history, alongside imaging such as ultrasounds and MRIs. Ultrasound can detect some forms of endometriosis, including endometriosis-associated ovarian cysts called endometriomas (ESHRE, 2022).

Laparoscopic surgery can also be used to diagnose and treat endometriosis. However, surgery is no longer considered necessary to confirm every diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis can also be made based on symptoms and imaging, and surgery is not necessarily required before starting treatment(World Health Organization, 2025);(ESHRE, 2022).

05

How is endometriosis treated?

Treatment for endometriosis and pain management remains limited. Your healthcare team may recommend pain relievers such as NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen...), hormone therapies and contraceptives (IUDs, birth control pills, implants), as well as laparoscopic surgery to remove endometriosis lesions(World Health Organization, 2025);(ESHRE, 2022).

In some circumstances, a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus) may also be considered. However,a hysterectomy is not a guaranteed cure for endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs outside the uterus, and symptoms can remain after a hysterectomy(World Health Organization, 2025).

Despite these treatments being able to help people affected by the condition, improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms,there is currently no cure for endometriosis, and symptoms may persist or recur after treatment(World Health Organization, 2025).

And this is really the frustrating part: for a condition affecting around 190 million people worldwide, there is still so much we don't know.