{"id":3103,"date":"2025-11-18T14:00:45","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T14:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/genesisathens.ro\/endometrioza-ce-este-cauze-simptome-si-tratament\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T12:26:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T12:26:38","slug":"endometriosis-what-it-is-causes-symptoms-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genesisathens.ro\/en\/endometriosis-what-it-is-causes-symptoms-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Endometriosis | Complete Guide | What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Endometriosis affects fertility. This is because it is associated with chronic inflammation, pelvic adhesions and a reduced ovarian reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women with mild endometriosis can achieve a natural pregnancy, but moderate\u2013severe cases benefit from personalised IVF. Pregnancy, once it occurs naturally or through IVF, is the best treatment for endometriosis. After a first pregnancy, for example obtained through IVF, the second may occur naturally. This is because pregnancy hormones act as a treatment for endometriosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Endometriosis typically develops a few years after the onset of menstruation. Signs and symptoms may improve once a pregnancy occurs and disappear at menopause, except in situations where you are on hormone replacement therapy (oestrogens).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is endometriosis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterine cavity (the endometrium) develops outside the uterus. The endometrium is the tissue that is shed during menstruation if pregnancy does not occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The endometrium is the tissue inside the uterus where the embryo implants (attaches) once it appears in the fallopian tubes following natural fertilisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once it develops, endometriosis often involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes and peritoneum (the membrane lining the pelvic cavity).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Endometriotic tissue can also extend beyond the pelvic area and affect neighbouring organs. Endometriosis can be found in the urinary tract and in the intestines. In fact, histological (laboratory) analyses have shown that it can appear on almost all organs in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stages of endometriosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Endometriosis is generally classified into four stages (1 \u2013 mild, 2 \u2013 moderate, 3 \u2013 advanced, 4 \u2013 severe), depending on the number, size and location of the lesions and adhesions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Peritoneal endometriosis \u2013 Superficial lesions on the pelvic peritoneum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Ovarian endometriosis \u2013 Endometriotic cysts (\u201cchocolate cysts\u201d) on the ovaries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Deep infiltrating endometriosis \u2013 Lesions that invade deeply into pelvic organs (uterosacral ligaments, rectovaginal septum, bladder, intestine).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The stage of endometriosis does not always correlate directly with the intensity of the pain, but it is important for planning treatment and for counselling about fertility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Endometriosis of the uterine wall (adenomyosis)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This is called adenomyosis and means the presence of endometriotic tissue within the uterine wall. Symptoms of adenomyosis include heavy menstrual bleeding and severe pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Endometriosis of the ovaries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When endometriosis affects the ovaries, cysts form called endometriomas. Endometriomas contain brown fluid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Adhesions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Adhesions are a frequent consequence of endometriosis. These are bands of fibrous tissue that form between the walls of the pelvic cavity and the pelvic organs or other neighbouring organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why does endometriosis occur?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The exact cause of endometriosis is not known. Worldwide, several theories have been proposed to explain the causes of the disease:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Retrograde menstruation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Menstrual blood, which contains endometrial cells (from the endometrium) and should normally be eliminated from the body as menstrual flow, passes through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity. These cells adhere to the pelvic walls and to the surface of organs, where they divide and form endometriotic foci that thicken and bleed at every menstruation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mulleriosis theory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This theory suggests a developmental defect during organ formation, specifically involving the migration of cellular components from the M\u00fcllerian ducts. These ducts are the structures from which the reproductive organs develop. M\u00fcllerian tissues can migrate within the body in the embryonic phase and later develop under the influence of hormones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Genetic causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    There may be a genetic predisposition to endometriosis in some women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Symptoms of endometriosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The main symptom is pain. Endometriosis is among the 20 most painful diseases. The pain is not necessarily related to the stage of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A woman with early-stage endometriosis may experience severe pain, while another with advanced-stage endometriosis may have minimal symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pelvic pain can also occur outside menstruation and become constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Common symptoms of endometriosis (endometriosis symptoms)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n