🩺 Endometriosis
📝 Last reviewed: August 2026
| In brief | Tissue like the womb lining grows outside the uterus, causing painful periods, pelvic pain and sometimes infertility. |
|---|---|
| Category | Women's Health |
🔍 What causes it
The exact cause is unknown. Each month the womb lining thickens and sheds; in endometriosis, similar tissue growing outside the womb — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel or pelvic lining — also bleeds, but has no way to leave the body. That trapped bleeding causes inflammation, scar tissue and cysts. Some women with the condition have no symptoms at all, while a family history makes it more likely.
⚠️ Key symptoms
- Severe period pain that painkillers barely touch
- Deep pelvic pain during or after sex
- Chronic lower belly or back pain
- Painful bowel movements or urination around your period
- Heavy bleeding or spotting between periods
💊 Treatment
There is no cure; treatment aims to control pain and slow the growth of the misplaced tissue. Painkillers, hormonal contraceptives and other hormone-based medicines ease symptoms for many women. When pain is severe or fertility is affected, laparoscopic surgery can remove the patches, and fertility treatment may help with pregnancy. Regular exercise, heat packs and rest during flares add relief, and an early, accurate diagnosis from a gynecologist makes a real difference.
🛡️ Prevention
Endometriosis cannot be reliably prevented, because its cause is unknown. Staying active, managing stress and eating plenty of vegetables, fruit and fish may help ease symptoms. Do not just put up with severe period pain — early diagnosis and treatment are the best protection against complications such as heavy scarring or infertility.
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