Your Body

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Are You at Risk for Endometriosis?

The tissue that lines the inside of your uterus is called endometrial tissue. Endometriosis is a disease that means some of this tissue has made its way outside your uterus. This tissue often ends up on your ovaries, part of your intestines, or other areas within your pelvis. The tissue acts just like the tissue inside your uterus. It goes through a monthly change – getting thick, breaking down, and bleeding. Because the tissue has nowhere to go, endometriosis causes pain in your abdomen. This pain may get much worse during your period.

Endometriosis is common among people assigned female at birth. It affects roughly 1 out of 10 people of childbearing age. Several risk factors may make you more likely to develop it. Learn about your risk for endometriosis by answering the following questions.

Note: A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean you will get the disease. And some people who get endometriosis may not have had any known risk factors.

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This assessment is not intended to replace the evaluation of a health care professional.

Online Medical Reviewer: Burd, Irina, MD, PhD
Online Medical Reviewer: Freeborn, Donna, PhD, CNM, FNP
Online Medical Reviewer: Watson, L Renee RN, BSN
Date Last Reviewed: 5/1/2023
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