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Endometriosis


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Endometriosis is
one of the most common
gynecological diseases,
affecting more
than 5.5 million women
in North America alone.
The two most common
symptoms of
endometriosis
are pain and infertility.









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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Fast Facts about Endometriosis:
Common name: Endometriosis or Endo

Medical name: Endometriosis

Number of women affected: At least 5.5 million women in North America alone have endometriosis.

Common symptoms: Very painful cramps or periods, heavy periods, chronic pelvic pain (which includes lower back pain and pelvic pain), intestinal pain, pain during or after sex, infertility.

Common treatments:
  • Pain medication
  • Hormone therapy
  • Surgery—laparoscopy (pronounced lapp-are-ah-skoe-pee) or laparotomy (pronounced lapp-are-ah-toe-mee)

Does this disorder affect fertility/childbearing? About 30 percent to 40 percent of women with endometriosis are infertile, making it one of the top three causes for female infertility.

However, endometriosis-related infertility is often treated successfully using hormones and surgery.

Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases, affecting more than 5.5 million women in North America alone. The two most common symptoms of endometriosis are pain and infertility. Some women have pain before and during their periods, as well as during or after sex. This pain can be so intense that it affects a woman’s quality of life, from her relationships, to her day-to-day activities. Some women don’t have any symptoms from endometriosis. Others may not find out they have the disease until they have trouble getting pregnant.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the , conducts and funds important research into the causes of and treatments for endometriosis. The NICHD hopes that through research, we will someday be able to cure and even prevent this painful disease.


Here's what we do know...

What research is being done to learn more about endometriosis?

Where can I go for more information about endometriosis?

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