Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it and may cause inflammation. Symptoms vary greatly and cannot be predicted from the amount of visible disease. Careful assessment and shared choices about pain treatment, hormone treatment, fertility care and sometimes surgery matter.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

  • Endometriosis is a long-term inflammatory condition and can cause symptoms from the first periods to after the menopause.
  • Pain that limits your life deserves investigation. Pain severity does not reliably match the stage or amount of endometriosis.
  • Ultrasound or MRI can show deep lesions and cysts but miss superficial endometriosis. A normal scan does not make symptoms unreal.
  • Surgery is not always needed before starting treatment. Hormone treatment may reduce symptoms but does not permanently cure endometriosis.
  • Discuss plans for children early. Not everyone with endometriosis has reduced fertility, and not everyone needs fertility treatment.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
C
Crohn’s diseaseCrohn’s disease is chronic immune-mediated inflammation that can affect any part from the mouth to the anus, often causing abdominal pain, diarrhoea, tiredness and weight loss. Treatment suppresses inflammation and prevents damage; severe pain with a swollen abdomen, heavy bleeding, sepsis or a painful lump around the anus requires urgent care.
U
Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is chronic inflammation of the innermost lining of the large bowel. It causes periods of symptoms such as bloody diarrhoea, urgency, abdominal pain and tiredness, alternating with quieter periods. Treatment reduces inflammation, prevents complications and requires regular check-ups.
M
MastocytosisMastocytosis is a rare condition with too many abnormal mast cells in the skin or organs. Substances from these cells can cause itching, redness, abdominal symptoms, fainting and anaphylaxis. Diagnosis and treatment planning should be handled by an experienced specialist.