Endometriosis: When Tissue Grows Where It Shouldn’t

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus – on ovaries, fallopian tubes, the bowel, or other pelvic structures. This tissue responds to your menstrual cycle hormones just like normal endometrium, thickening and breaking down each month, but with nowhere to exit the body.

Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, yet diagnosis often takes 7-10 years because symptoms are frequently dismissed as “normal period pain.” We’re here to help you understand what’s not normal – and why your pain deserves attention.

Learn what causes pelvic pain beyond menstruation, why endometriosis affects fertility, how estrogen drives tissue growth, what symptoms warrant medical evaluation (painful periods, pain during sex, chronic pelvic pain, painful bowel movements), how diagnosis actually works (spoiler: it requires surgery), and what treatment options exist from pain management to hormonal therapy to surgical intervention.

Critical Note: Endometriosis requires professional medical diagnosis and treatment. We provide education to help you recognize symptoms and advocate for yourself – not to diagnose or treat.

Your pain is valid. Understanding endometriosis helps you get the care you deserve.