What is Endometriosis?

The inner lining of the womb is called the endometrium. Endometriosis is a condition in which patches of endometrium occur in parts of the body other than the womb. Often these patches of endometrium occur on other pelvic organs including the ovaries or fallopian tubes, but it can also occur within the muscular wall of the womb, scattered about the inside of the pelvis and/or abdominal cavity, or rarely on the lining of the nose, in the lungs, in the intestines, and under the skin.

Diagnosis of endometriosis

None of the symptoms of endometriosis are unique to the condition, so the only way to be sure that a woman has endometriosis is to look inside the abdomen. This is done in hospital, using a laparoscope, a thin telescope that is inserted through a small cut in the abdomen. The examination of the internal organs is usually done under general anaesthetic by a gynaecologist. If endometriosis is found, a small piece of tissue (biopsy) may be removed for confirmation of the diagnosis. The examination takes about 30 minutes, and can usually be done as a day case.

Prevalence

Endometriosis occurs in 1-15% of women of childbearing age, and most women with the condition are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40 years. It is estimated that 10-15% of women complaining of gynaecological symptoms have endometriosis. Some women have few or no symptoms from this condition. The cause of endometriosis is unknown, also why some women get it and others do not. It can run in families, and is more common in white people than in other ethnic groups.

Amended November 2008