Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
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.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: July 28, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Anne Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
from
- 9 nastiest things in your supermarket
- Facebook is now fueling organ donations
- Military women and suicide: Home safe but not sound
- Still in gear: Injuries don’t stop veterans on 100-day bike trek
- Ask Jenna: I've hit a weight loss plateau. What do I do?
- He poses in a tutu to laugh in face of wife's cancer
The iVillage Network