Endometriosis
A common condition that can cause very painful periods and long-lasting pelvic pain.
✓ Clinically reviewed · Catherine, RN & Juah, RN
When should I get help?
- Talk to a health worker about period pain that is severe or that stops your daily life.
- Tell a health worker if you have pelvic pain that does not go away when your period ends.
Key things to remember
- About 1 in 10 women have endometriosis.
- Severe period pain is not something you just have to live with.
- Treatment can control symptoms, even though there is no cure.
📖 Read the full lesson
Endometriosis is a long-lasting condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the womb. It causes inflammation and scar tissue.
It affects about 1 in 10 women of reproductive age around the world. Symptoms can include severe pain during periods, heavy periods, pelvic pain that continues after the period ends, bloating and nausea, and difficulty getting pregnant. It can also cause pain during sex, when passing urine or stools, and can affect mental health. Some women have no symptoms.
Because symptoms vary, endometriosis is often found late — on average 4 to 12 years after symptoms start.
There is no cure, but medicines (including pain relief and hormonal treatments), surgery for some women, physiotherapy and talking therapies can reduce pain and improve daily life. Fertility treatment may help women who want to become pregnant.
📚 Sources
- World Health Organization — Endometriosis (fact sheet) 15 Oct 2025 · accessed 1 Nov 2026
Written in plain language from these sources. It does not imply endorsement by these organizations.
HH-ART-017 · Version 1.0 · Last updated 4 Nov 2026
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