IBS can accompany endometriosis, which can complicate the diagnosis. Endometriosis can be a challenging condition to manage. An early diagnosis, a multidisciplinary medical team and an understanding of your diagnosis may result in better management of your symptoms. Endometriosis usually develops several years after the onset of menstruation menarche. Signs and symptoms of endometriosis may temporarily improve with pregnancy and may go away completely with menopause, unless you're taking estrogen.
During fertilization, the sperm and egg unite in one of the fallopian tubes to form a zygote. Then the zygote travels down the fallopian tube, where it becomes a morula. Once it reaches the uterus, the morula becomes a blastocyst. The blastocyst then burrows into the uterine lining — a process called implantation. The main complication of endometriosis is impaired fertility. Approximately one-third to one-half of women with endometriosis have difficulty getting pregnant. For pregnancy to occur, an egg must be released from an ovary, travel through the neighboring fallopian tube, become fertilized by a sperm cell and attach itself to the uterine wall to begin development.
Endometriosis may obstruct the tube and keep the egg and sperm from uniting. But the condition also seems to affect fertility in less-direct ways, such as by damaging the sperm or egg. Even so, many with mild to moderate endometriosis can still conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Doctors sometimes advise those with endometriosis not to delay having children because the condition may worsen with time.
Ovarian cancer does occur at higher than expected rates in those with endometriosis. But the overall lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is low to begin with. Some studies suggest that endometriosis increases that risk, but it's still relatively low. Although rare, another type of cancer — endometriosis-associated adenocarcinoma — can develop later in life in those who have had endometriosis. Endometriosis care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Endometriosis Open pop-up dialog box Close. Endometriosis With endometriosis, bits of the uterine lining endometrium — or similar endometrial-like tissue — grow outside of the uterus on other pelvic organs. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.
Fertilization and implantation Open pop-up dialog box Close. Early management can help reduce progression of the condition, reduce complications, and keep symptoms under control.
Many people with endometriosis are treated based on their symptoms, without a formal diagnosis. In other cases, an official diagnosis is done via a laparoscopy, a simple surgery. In this procedure, doctors make a small incision in the abdomen usually under 1. Small tissue samples may be collected, called biopsies. A healthcare provider will probably ask questions about your medical and menstrual history and perform a simple physical exam. They will want to hear about pain symptoms and any issues with infertility or miscarriage.
If the healthcare provider thinks endometriosis may be present, they may also perform:. A pelvic exam. It can be helpful to monitor your pain level and share this information with your healthcare provider.
You might also try talking to someone who specializes in gynecology or endometriosis. Being an advocate for oneself may help minimize the time it takes to get a diagnosis in people with the condition. Endometriosis usually lasts many years, but the symptoms are manageable with treatment. How endometriosis is treated will depend on the symptoms and goals of each person. Goals might be to feel less pain, or to become pregnant.
If someone experiences pain from endometriosis, a healthcare provider will often suggest a NSAID — an over-the-counter pain medication. Hormonal medications are also often prescribed as an early approach Other medications that affect the hormones may also be prescribed if first-line approaches are not sufficient: GnRH antagonists prevent ovulation and may stop the thickening and shedding of some endometrial tissue 33, In some cases, a doctor might suggest a laparoscopy to explore and surgically remove or destroy problematic tissue.
This can help with symptoms, and improve fertility Doctors may perform laparoscopic excision or ablation.
Excision consists of cutting away problematic tissue, while ablation consists of burning away the tissue through cauterization or a laser. There is a lot of debate about which method is better for which stage of the condition. A review found that both methods may have advantages for treating certain symptoms Surgery leads to symptom relief in most people with mild or moderate endometriosis, but is not always effective and recurrence and the need for further surgical procedures is common over time Surgery also carries its own risks which need to be weighed against potential benefits.
A hysterectomy does not effectively treat endometriosis in all cases, but has lower retreatment rates than other surgeries, especially when ovaries are removed Some people consider alternative treatments for their symptoms. These include physical exercise, diet changes, and acupuncture For some women, endometriosis can have a big impact on their life and may sometimes lead to feelings of depression. See a GP if you have symptoms of endometriosis, especially if they're having a big impact on your life.
It can be difficult to diagnose endometriosis because the symptoms can vary considerably, and many other conditions can cause similar symptoms. A GP will ask about your symptoms, and may ask to examine your tummy and vagina.
If these do not help, they might refer you to a specialist called a gynaecologist for some further tests, such as an ultrasound scan or laparoscopy. A laparoscopy is where a surgeon passes a thin tube through a small cut in your tummy so they can see any patches of endometriosis tissue. There's currently no cure for endometriosis, but there are treatments that can help ease the symptoms.
Your doctor will discuss the options with you. Sometimes they may suggest not starting treatment immediately to see if your symptoms improve on their own.
One of the main complications of endometriosis is difficulty getting pregnant or not being able to get pregnant at all infertility.
Surgery to remove endometriosis tissue can help improve your chances of getting pregnant, although there's no guarantee that you'll be able to get pregnant after treatment. Surgery for endometriosis can also sometimes cause further problems, such as infections, bleeding or damage to affected organs. If surgery is recommended for you, talk to your surgeon about the possible risks.
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