Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It’s often a painful condition, especially during menstruation, and it can affect fertility as well. Symptoms can include heavy and painful menstrual periods, discomfort during or after sex, and pain with urination or bowel movements. While there’s no cure for endometriosis, medication can help manage pain symptoms and hormone therapy can help slow its progression. Laparoscopic surgery can also help treat endometriosis, reducing pain and improving fertility.
What Is Endometriosis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and PreventionMedically Reviewed by Kara Smythe, MD | April 22, 2023
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FAQ
What causes endometriosis?
The primary cause of endometriosis is unknown, and the condition cannot be prevented. Health experts suggest genetics, excess or dysregulated estrogen, a retrograde menstrual flow, and low prenatal testosterone levels could all be contributing factors to endometriosis.
Can endometriosis cause weight gain?
Weight gain isn’t recognized as a symptom of endometriosis. However, endometriosis can cause heavy menstrual periods that lead to bloating, fluid retention, and temporary weight fluctuations.
Can you get pregnant with endometriosis?
You can get pregnant with endometriosis, but the condition may make it more difficult to conceive. If untreated, endometriosis can cause infertility when inflammation damages your eggs or scar tissue blocks your fallopian tubes.
Can endometriosis cause cancer?
Endometriosis doesn’t typically become cancerous. Research suggests ovarian cancer and breast cancer may be more common among women with endometriosis, but the potential link between the conditions remains unclear.
Can you live normally with endometriosis?
Yes, you can live a normal life with endometriosis when equipped with the proper treatment and support. Many women experience significant symptom relief from diet and lifestyle changes, pain medication, hormone therapy, surgical intervention, and any combination thereof.
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Kara Smythe, MD
Medical Reviewer
Kara Smythe, MD, has been working in sexual and reproductive health for over 10 years. Dr. Smythe is a board-certified fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecolog...
Kacy Church, MD, practices as a clinical endocrinologist with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Burlingame, California. She balances both outpatient and inpatient responsibilitie...
Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician and an assistant professor of clinical medicine and the director of the care management program at Weill Cornell ...
John Paul McHugh, MD, is an obstetrician-gynecologist and lifestyle medicine specialist in southern California. He has always placed wellness at the center of his work, in both del...
Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH is an internal medicine specialist with extensive clinical experience in multiple practice settings. Dr. Marcellin is a past medical director of both fee...
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Speaking Endometriosis: A Glossary of Terms Used to Describe Symptoms, Tests, Treatments, and MoreMedically Reviewed by Kara Smythe, MD | August 19, 2023
