Who gets endometriosis?
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The exact number of women who develop endometriosis is not known. This is because many women have endometriosis without symptoms, or with mild symptoms, and are never diagnosed. Investigations to diagnose endometriosis are only done if symptoms become troublesome and are not eased by initial treatments (see below). So, estimates vary from about 1 in 10 to as many as 5 in 10 of all women develop some degree of endometriosis.
If symptoms develop they typically begin between the ages of 25-40. Sometimes symptoms begin in the teenage years. Endometriosis can affect any woman. However:
- Sometimes it runs in families. Therefore, endometriosis is more common in close blood relatives of affected women.
- Endometriosis is rare in women past the menopause as to develop endometriosis you need oestrogen, the female hormone. Oestrogen levels fall after the menopause.
- The oral contraceptive pill ('the pill') reduces the risk of developing endometriosis. This protective effect may persist for up to a year after stopping 'the pill'.
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