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Endometriosis: Overlooked and Underdiagnosed

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus—called the endometrium—grows outside of the uterus. This tissue responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, thickening and breaking down just like the tissue inside the uterus, but with nowhere to go. The result is inflammation, scar tissue, and adhesions—bands of fibrous tissue that can cause organs to stick together. The inflammation caused by the lesions can result in severe pelvic pain, painful periods, fatigue, migraines and gastrointestinal issues, among other symptoms. Individual cases vary in the severity of symptoms and while some with the condition won’t experience any indicators, others can find them debilitating in daily life.

Facts:

  • Over 6 million women in the US are diagnosed with Endometriosis, and an estimated 190 million women worldwide.
  • Many individuals experience symptoms for years before receiving a diagnosis; the average diagnosis time globally is almost seven years, highlighting a significant gap in awareness, education, and access to care.
  • Endometriosis is traditionally diagnosed through laparoscopic surgery, a procedure that enables surgeons to look inside the body and identify any endometrial lesions. To help prevent temporary pain, the lesions are burned off in an ablation procedure. Endometriosis can return though, or grow elsewhere even after surgery. The benefit of the procedure is to alleviate pain and inflammation. 
  • While most commonly found on the lining of the pelvis, Endometriosis can also be found on the ovaries, bowel, liver, appendix, bladder, as well elsewhere in the body. 
  • Endometriosis can make pregnancy more difficult. However, medical research and fertility support options continue to improve, giving many the opportunity to plan and achieve pregnancy successfully.
Sources
  • University of York. (2024). Diagnosing Endometriosis takes an average of almost 7 years, study shows. Retrieved from york.ac.uk
  • Endometriosis UK. (2024, November). What is Endometriosis? Retrieved from www.endometriosis-uk.org
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2025). Endometriosis. Retrieved from who.int