How Common Is Endometriosis?
The actual number of women who have
endometriosis is not known because many women do not
have symptoms. The formal diagnosis of endometriosis can be made only after a
laparoscopic exam. Regardless of whether pain or
infertility is the major problem, many women with
endometriosis are never diagnosed. This is because their symptoms are not
severe enough to require laparoscopy.
- Among all women, it is estimated that 6 to 10 out
of 100 have endometriosis.1
- Endometriosis
is seen in about 50 out of every 100 teenagers who have menstrual periods that
are painful enough to be evaluated with laparoscopy.2
- Endometriosis is seen in 20 to 40 out of every
100 teen girls who have pelvic pain that is not necessarily related to their
menstrual periods.3
- Almost 70 out of 100
women with endometriosis had symptoms before age 20.3
- Endometriosis is very rare before
puberty.
- Symptoms of endometriosis usually
disappear after
menopause.
Citations
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2010). Noncontraceptive uses of hormonal contraceptives. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 110. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 115(1): 206–218.
- Fritz MA, Speroff L (2011). Endometriosis. In Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, 8th ed., pp. 1221–1248. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(2005). Endometriosis in adolescents. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 310.
Obstetrics and Gynecology, 105(4): 921–927.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|---|
| Last Revised | July 7, 2011 |
|---|
Last Revised:
July 7, 2011
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2010). Noncontraceptive uses of hormonal contraceptives. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 110. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 115(1): 206–218.
Fritz MA, Speroff L (2011). Endometriosis. In Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, 8th ed., pp. 1221–1248. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(2005). Endometriosis in adolescents. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 310.
Obstetrics and Gynecology, 105(4): 921–927.
