What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a complex disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in places it shouldn’t, usually outside the uterus, often deep in the pelvis. This tissue doesn’t belong there, but it still reacts to hormonal changes each month, leading to inflammation, pain, and scar tissue (also called adhesions).

For many, it starts with the first period and can continue through menopause. While it's most common in the pelvic area, endometriosis has, in rare cases, been found in other parts of the body too.

Pain is often the loudest symptom, but the impact of endometriosis reaches far beyond that.

Where Endometriosis Can Grow

There are different types of endometriosis, depending on where and how deeply the tissue grows:

  • Superficial peritoneal endometriosis: Found on the surface of the pelvic lining (peritoneum).

  • Ovarian endometriomas: These are fluid-filled cysts that form inside the ovaries.

  • Deep infiltrating endometriosis: Grows deeper into pelvic tissues, including the space between the vagina and rectum, bladder, or bowel.

  • Extra-pelvic endometriosis: Rare, but possible—this includes lesions in the lungs, diaphragm, or even the skin.

What Causes It?

We don’t yet know exactly why endometriosis develops. It isn’t something you can prevent, and right now, there’s no cure. But there are ways to manage symptoms. Some find relief with hormonal medications, dietary changes, complementary therapies, or surgery to remove lesions.

Common Symptoms

Endometriosis can look different from person to person, but these are the symptoms most often reported:

  • Painful periods (cramps that go beyond “normal”)

  • Pain during or after sex

  • Pain with bowel movements or urination

  • Chronic pelvic pain, not limited to your cycle

  • Heavy or irregular bleeding

  • Difficulty getting pregnant

  • Bloating, nausea, or digestive issues

  • Fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest

  • Mood changes, including depression or anxiety

Some experience all of these, some only a few. Others might not feel anything at all until they try to get pregnant. Because symptoms can be so varied, and sometimes dismissed, diagnosis can take years.

After menopause, many see symptoms ease. But for some, pain and inflammation persist even without a regular cycle.

Living with Endometriosis

Endometriosis isn’t just a “bad period.” It’s a chronic condition that can affect physical, mental, and emotional well-being. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and you're not imagining it. Understanding the disease is the first step toward getting the care you deserve.