Endometriosis is a chronic, benign, and estrogen-dependent condition where endometrial glandular tissue and stroma grow outside the uterine cavity. These ectopic endometriosis lesions are most commonly found in the pelvic area but can also affect other body regions such as the intestines, diaphragm, or pleural cavity.
Although endometriosis is a non-malignant condition, the displaced tissue can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to severe pain, adhesions, and infertility. The most common symptoms are dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), chronic pelvic pain, and fertility issues. The severity of symptoms varies greatly—while some affected individuals have few symptoms, the condition can lead to significant impairments in quality of life for others.
Endometriosis affects women in all hormonal life stages, including premenarchal, reproductive, and postmenopausal periods. As it is hormone-dependent, the condition may remain inactive during pregnancy or under hormonal therapies but can flare up again after discontinuing therapy.
The exact cause of endometriosis is not yet fully understood, but hormonal, immunological, and genetic factors play a role. Despite its high prevalence, diagnosis is often delayed because the symptoms are nonspecific and not always directly associated with the condition.