Top Menu

Menu
Menu

Endometriosis

Summary

Endometriosis is a problem affecting a woman’s uterus – the place where a baby grows when she’s pregnant. Endometriosis is when the kind of tissue that normally lines the uterus grows somewhere else. It can grow on the ovaries, behind the uterus or on the bowels or bladder. Rarely, it grows in other parts of the body.

This "misplaced" tissue can cause pain, infertility, and very heavy periods. The pain is usually in the abdomen, lower back or pelvic areas. Some women have no symptoms at all. Having trouble getting pregnant may be the first sign.

The cause of endometriosis is not known. Pain medicines and hormones often help. Severe cases may need surgery. There are also treatments to improve fertility in women with endometriosis.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Encyclopedia

Array

Specifics

  • Adenomyosis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Clinical Trials

Start Here

Videos and Tutorials

Teenagers

Treatments and Therapies

Related Issues

Reference Desk

Diagnosis and Tests

Statistics and Research

Find an Expert

Journal Articles

Symptoms

Latest News

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Community Health

Your Health Our Mission