To rule out other possible causes of pelvic pain, your doctor may order a urine test, pregnancy test, Pap test, or vaginal swabs. The doctor will examine you physically and likely order imaging tests. If you have symptoms, such as pelvic pain, your doctor will take your medical history and ask you about your symptoms:

If you don’t have symptoms, your first diagnosis may occur when your doctor is treating you for another problem. How do doctors tell them apart when diagnosing?

a blood relative with endometriosis (this increases your risk sevenfold)ĭecreased risk for endometriosis is associated with:.

higher alcohol and caffeine consumption.

shorter menstrual cycle (less than the typical 28-day cycle).

Higher risk for endometriosis is associated with: Studies of an adenomyosis association with smoking and ectopic pregnancy have mixed results.

depression and higher use of antidepressants.

having had surgery of the uterus, such as dilation and curettage.

being treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer.

Higher risk for adenomyosis is associated with: More studies are needed because some results are inconsistent. Researchers have identified some risk factors associated with adenomyosis and endometriosis. What are the similarities and differences in risk factors? Some suggested explanations combine two or more of these theories.

Your lymph system may carry endometrial-like cells to other areas.

Problems with the body’s hormone system and estrogen may transform embryonic cells in your abdomen into endometrial-like cells.

Immune system problems may cause a failure to find and regulate straying endometrial-like tissue in both adenomyosis and endometriosis.

Menstrual blood that goes astray through the fallopian tubes (retrograde menstruation) may leave endometrial-like tissue in the pelvis or other areas.

They can then grow outside of their usual location in adenomyosis and endometriosis.

Stem cells might be activated by injury to endometrial tissue.

Estrogen production is involved in this process.

Adenomyosis and endometriosis may result from tissue injury and repair (TIAR) after trauma to the uterus.

But researchers have identified likely mechanisms and risk factors. Thank you.The exact causes of adenomyosis and endometriosis aren’t known. If you found this page helpful please consider making a donation. However, with the right endometriosis treatment, many of these issues can be addressed, and the symptoms of endometriosis made more manageable.Īs a charity, Endometriosis UK relies on support from people like you.

Difficulty in fulfilling work and social commitments.

Problems with a couple’s sex life/relationships.

This can cause inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue.Įndometriosis can have a significant impact on a person's life in a number of ways, including: However, there is no way for this blood to leave the body. These cells react to the menstrual cycle each month and also bleed. In endometriosis, cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body. If pregnancy does not occur, this lining will break down and bleed – this is then released from the body as a period. Hormones are naturally released which cause the lining of the womb to increase in preparation for a fertilized egg. Endometriosis can affect you from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be felt for life.ĭuring the menstrual cycle, the body goes through hormonal changes each month. In the UK, around 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth are currently living with the condition, regardless of race or ethnicity. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.

Endometriosis (pronounced en- doh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is the name given to the condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body.Įach month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding.

Endo uterine