What is What is Endometriosis?
💡 Endometriosis is growth of endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus — on ovaries, tubes, and peritoneum. Affects ~10% of reproductive-age women; 30–50% of those affected experience infertility. Three forms: peritoneal implants, endometrioma, and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Diagnosed by laparoscopy. Staged I–IV (ASRM).
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which tissue resembling the endometrium grows outside the uterus — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum, and other structures. It affects ~10% of reproductive-age women and causes pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea, and infertility in 30–50% of affected women.
🇮🇳 India Context: What is Endometriosis is widely assessed and treated across major Indian fertility centres including Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
What are the key characteristics of What is Endometriosis?
- Affects ~10% of reproductive-age women; up to 30–50% of women with infertility have endometriosis
- Three forms: peritoneal endometriosis (superficial implants), endometrioma (ovarian cyst — "chocolate cyst"), deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE — bowel, bladder, uterosacral involvement)
- Staging: ASRM Stages I–IV (minimal, mild, moderate, severe) — based on lesion extent, ovarian involvement, and adhesion degree
- Symptoms: dysmenorrhoea (painful periods — most common), chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dyschezia, subfertility
- Diagnosis: laparoscopy with histological biopsy confirmation — gold standard; transvaginal ultrasound identifies endometriomas
- CA-125: elevated in moderate-severe endometriosis — useful for monitoring, not diagnosis alone; sensitivity 50–60%
- Fertility impact: reduces ovarian reserve, impairs egg quality, causes tubal and pelvic adhesions, disrupts implantation environment
- Treatment: hormonal suppression (GnRH agonists, progestins, combined OCP), laparoscopic excision, IVF in severe/recurrent cases
How does What is Endometriosis work?
Why does What is Endometriosis matter in fertility?
Endometriosis reduces fertility through multiple concurrent mechanisms: reduced ovarian reserve (especially from endometriomas), impaired oocyte quality, tubal damage, pelvic adhesion-related anatomical distortion, and impaired implantation environment. Fertility impact is stage-dependent — Stage I–II has minimal impact on IVF outcomes; Stage III–IV significantly impairs ovarian response and implantation. Laparoscopic endometrioma removal improves follicle access but carries risk of further ovarian reserve reduction — decisions must be individualised. IVF is the most effective fertility treatment in moderate-severe endometriosis. In India, endometriosis is significantly underdiagnosed — average delay to diagnosis is 7–10 years from symptom onset.
What are related terms to What is Endometriosis?
Ovarian Reserve
Ovarian reserve refers to the quantity and functional potential of remaining ooc…
Laparoscopy (Keyhole Surgery)
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery, also called keyhole surgery. A thin…
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) in whi…
Egg Retrieval (Oocyte Pick-Up)
Egg Retrieval (also called Oocyte Pick-Up or OPU) is a minor surgical procedure …
FAQs about What is Endometriosis
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterus — on ovaries, tubes, and peritoneum. Affects ~10% of reproductive-age women. Causes pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea, and infertility in 30–50% of affected women. Diagnosed by laparoscopy. Staged I–IV (ASRM).
Does endometriosis cause infertility?
Yes — in 30–50% of affected women. Endometriosis reduces ovarian reserve (especially endometriomas), impairs egg quality, causes tubal damage and pelvic adhesions, and disrupts implantation. Stage III–IV has significant fertility impact. IVF is the most effective treatment for moderate-severe endometriosis-related infertility.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods — most common), chronic pelvic pain (not limited to menstruation), dyspareunia (painful intercourse), dyschezia (painful defecation in deep infiltrating disease), and subfertility. Importantly, 20–25% of women with endometriosis are asymptomatic — discovered only during infertility investigation.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
The gold standard is laparoscopy with histological biopsy confirmation of endometriotic tissue. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) reliably identifies endometriomas. MRI delineates deep infiltrating endometriosis. CA-125 is elevated in moderate-severe disease but has insufficient sensitivity and specificity for standalone diagnosis.
Should I have surgery for endometriosis before IVF?
Decision is individualised. For endometriomas: surgical removal improves follicle access but risks reducing ovarian reserve — most specialists recommend IVF first if ovarian reserve is already diminished. For superficial peritoneal disease: laparoscopic treatment may improve natural conception; benefit in IVF is less established.
What is an endometrioma?
An endometrioma (chocolate cyst) is an ovarian cyst formed when endometriotic tissue grows inside the ovary, filling with old haemolysed blood. It damages the adjacent follicle pool, reducing ovarian reserve. AMH is often lower in women with endometriomas. Management: individualised based on size, symptoms, and ovarian reserve.
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