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For women with endometriosis, the pain can be debilitating and very hard to explain. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to SpeakENDO to your doctor.

What's Your Endometriosis IQ Actually?

The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, but most scientists think that this happens when those bits of tissue leave the uterus in the wrong direction during the period and move through the fallopian tubes.

About 1 in 10 women of reproductive age have endometriosis.

Approximately how many women of reproductive age have endometriosis?

The most common symptoms of endometriosis are the three P's — painful periods, pelvic pain in between periods, and pain with sex. Women with endometriosis can experience a variety of symptoms — and some can experience none at all. Symptoms can vary, but may reflect the area where endometriosis is located.

True or false: Common symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, pelvic pain between periods, and pain with sex.

Shockingly, this is true.\* The path to diagnosis isn't that simple, and endometriosis symptoms are often dismissed as “bad periods."  
_\*Based on a self-reported 1998 endometriosis association survey of 4,334 respondents reporting a surgical diagnosis of endometriosis._

True or false: About one-third of women consulted three to four doctors before receiving an endometriosis diagnosis.

On average, it can take a woman up to six to ten years to receive an endometriosis diagnosis. That's why it's so important to talk to your gynecologist ASAP if you're experiencing symptoms.

How long does it take to receive an endometriosis diagnosis on average?

Endometriosis lesions are most commonly found in the pelvic area on organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, bowels, intestines, rectovaginal septum, and peritoneum. Some lesions can even form their own nerves — another reason there can be pelvic pain between periods. Endometriosis is different for every woman.

Endometriosis lesions are found on organs such as the...  


A family history of endometriosis, not having given birth, starting your period at a young age, having long or heavy periods, and having short menstrual cycles (fewer than 27 days) are all risk factors. No one demographic or ethnicity has been found to be a risk factor for endometriosis.

All of the following could increase a women’s risk for endometriosis, EXCEPT for:  


Though there is no known cure for endometriosis, there are treatment options available to help the pain. If you have endo, talk to your doctor about a treatment plan that might be right for you.

True or false: Painkillers, hormonal birth control, and hysterectomies can cure endometriosis.

Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to SpeakENDO to your doctor.

You have a lot to learn about endometriosis, but that's OK!

You know quite a bit about endometriosis!

You're an endometriosis expert!

Images via Getty Information provided by SpeakEndo.com

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What's Your Endometriosis IQ Actually?

If you have painful periods, pelvic pain in between periods, or pain with sex, it could be endometriosis. Symptoms are different for every woman, so be specific when you talk to your gynecologist. There may be treatment options available to help the pain.

What's Your Endometriosis IQ Actually?

If you have painful periods, pelvic pain in between periods, or pain with sex, it could be endometriosis. Symptoms are different for every woman, so be specific when you talk to your gynecologist. There may be treatment options available to help the pain.

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