8 key facts to know about endometriosis

Extreme cramping, heavy bleeding, and digestive issues: They're all just part of a typical period, right? Not exactly. They could be signs of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is often described as an "invisible" disease because the signs may mimic those of other health conditions. And since endometriosis is tied to the menstrual cycle, many people simply assume it’s something they have to deal with every month.

But the condition is more than just a rough period. With endometriosis, the tissue that typically lines the uterus—also known as the endometrium—grows outside of the uterus. Endo patches typically find their way to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic organs. In some cases, they grow on the intestines and bladder, and in rare cases, even the lungs. These patches go through the same monthly cycle as the uterine lining, developing and then shedding.

“Endometriosis can cause chronic pain and significant scar tissue in the pelvis, which can affect quality of life,” says Meghan Smith, MD, an OBGYN with Nashville Fertility Center in Tennessee. Here’s what to know about this condition.

“Every month when you have your period, your body expels the endometrium that lines your uterus,” says Dr. Smith. "When you have endometriosis, the tissue that grows outside of the uterus bleeds, too, and can cause significant pain and cramping."

Because the endometrial tissue outside the uterus doesn’t have any way to exit the body, it becomes trapped in the pelvic cavity and may lead to swelling, cysts, and scar tissue. This can also create adhesions, which could cause your organs to stick together.

If you’re missing school or work because of period pain, that’s not typical and could indicate a bigger issue, says Smith. “Mild cramps are common,” she says, “but if they require more than over-the-counter pain medication, you should see a healthcare provider (HCP). Cramps that interfere with your daily life are another red flag.”

Depending on where the endometrial lesions are located, Smith says, people with this condition may experience pain with sex, urination, and bowel movements. Some also develop:

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea and bloating similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Signs of bladder endometriosis include bladder irritation, urgency, and pain when the bladder is full. There occasionally may be blood in the urine during menstruation or pain in the kidney area.

Endometriosis is a common condition, affecting about 10 percent of people assigned female at birth—or approximately 190 million worldwide—according to the World Health Organization. It most commonly appears in your 30s and 40s but can occur any time after you start your menstrual cycle.

Doctors and researchers involved with reproductive health issues believe that the numbers are higher, because many cases go undiagnosed. The symptoms can be broad and vague, overlapping with many other conditions. Plus, those affected may not seek medical care right away. They may normalize their pain, assuming they’re just someone who gets “bad periods.”

Receiving a diagnosis for endometriosis can be a long process. In fact, research shows that it can take between 4 and 11 years.

One issue is that period pain is often simply considered “normal.” Another issue is that pain doesn't always correspond to the number, size, or location of the endometriosis patches. Some people with few patches may have the most severe pain, while those with many areas of endometriosis growth may have minimal pain.

To help diagnose endometriosis, a healthcare provider (HCP) will discuss your symptoms with you, particularly where they occur and how often. They may then try a series of tests including a pelvic exam, an ultrasound scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

“Symptoms and ultrasound findings often provide enough evidence to tip doctors off, at which time they may begin treatment,” says Smith. In some cases, however, a surgical procedure called laparoscopy will be necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. In laparoscopy, a small incision is made in the abdomen and a tiny camera is inserted to examine areas of concern.

Those with endometriosis are more likely to have difficulty conceiving. Research suggests up to 50 percent may deal with infertility.

Smith says there are a few theories on how endometriosis and infertility are related:

• The lesions and scar tissue from endometriosis may impair the fallopian tubes’ ability to pick up the egg and transfer it to the uterus.
• Inflammation caused by endometriosis may disrupt fertilization or cause the lining of the uterus to be less receptive to implantation.
• Ovarian tissue may also be damaged if you have surgery to remove endometriosis patches, affecting ovulation.

Endometriosis does not necessarily lead to infertility, however. Those with the condition can and do have children—it just may take longer and they may need to be monitored. Assisted reproductive technology (ART), or fertility treatments, may be recommended by your OBGYN or reproductive endocrinologist.

Endometriosis is associated with a greater risk of several types of cancer. A 2021 study in the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found increased risk among participants with endometriosis for endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers (6 percent, 4 percent and almost 2 percent, respectively). The authors noted that a few factors increase risk, including advanced age, postmenopausal status, larger amounts of endometrial tissue, and length of time with the condition.

A 2021 meta-analysis in the journal Human Reproduction Update of 49 studies looked at the association between endometriosis and cancer. Researchers found a higher risk of ovarian, thyroid, and breast cancers, though the overall increase in risk is still low relative to women in the general population.

Smith stresses that while studies show an association with ovarian cancer, endometriosis is not precancerous. “There are no clear recommendations that you should get screened for ovarian cancer if you have endometriosis,” she says.

While there is no cure for endometriosis, there are different treatment options. It can depend on whether you are planning to become pregnant. It’s important that you talk with your OBGYN about the option that’s best for you.

Hormonal contraceptives are often the first line of defense against endometriosis (and painful periods, too). These include oral birth control pills, vaginal rings, or birth control patches; progestin- or progesterone-only pills and intrauterine devices; and danazol, which stops the production of hormones related to menstruation. Since endometrial tissues respond to hormonal fluctuations linked to your period, taking these medications can help relieve your symptoms and pain.

“It keeps you hormonally quiet and you don’t have the buildup of the endometrial lining, or at least not as great of a buildup,” says Smith. “It can prevent you from developing more lesions in the pelvis.”

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) drugs are also frequently used to treat pain. These inhibit production of some hormones and put the body into a menopausal state. One commonly prescribed pill is known as elagolix; nasal sprays and injections are also available. Most GnRH medications are taken for no longer than six months at a time.

For those with severe pain who do not respond to medication or other therapies, surgically removing or destroying the lesions and removing scar tissue via laparoscope may help. This is often just a short-term fix. Research suggests that pain returns for some people within a few years.

“If you still have your ovaries, you’ll still make hormones that cause the pain and cramping,” says Smith.

If other treatment options haven’t helped improve symptoms, a hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, may be recommended as a last resort. This may be accompanied by an oophorectomy, or removal of the ovaries.

It’s important to know that removing the ovaries induces menopause, which can have an impact on your overall health. People who go through premature or early menopause may experience traditional menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, anxiety or depression, and vaginal dryness. Early menopause has also been associated with a greater risk of bone loss, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive issues, such as difficulty with memory and concentration.

Researchers are actively working to understand endometriosis better, to improve diagnostic tools, pinpoint biomarkers in blood and saliva, and identify gene patterns, all of which could help patients get answers and treatment faster.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and EndoMarch, a California-based organization hosting marches worldwide, is a coalition fighting for improved research, diagnosis, and treatment for people with endometriosis.