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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Among the factors that place you at greater risk of developing endometriosis are:

  • Never giving birth
  • One or more relatives (mother, aunt or sister) with endometriosis
  • Menstrual cycles shorter than 27 days with bleeding lasting longer than eight days
  • Any medical condition that prevents the normal passage of menstrual flow
  • A history of pelvic infection

Endometriosis usually develops several years after the onset of menstruation (menarche). The signs and symptoms of endometriosis end temporarily with pregnancy and permanently with menopause.

References
  1. Endometriosis. The National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/endometriosis.cfm. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  2. Schenken RS. Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis of endometriosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  3. Endometriosis. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp013.cfm. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  4. Kokakoc E, et al. Endometriosis. Ultrasound Clinics. 2008;3:399.
  5. Kim WJ, et al. Endometriosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00014-7--s1670&uniq=211843402&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00014-7--s1670%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-05610-6. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  6. Schenken RS. Overview of the treatment of endometriosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  7. Boyle KJ, et al. Benign gynecologic conditions. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2008;88:245.
  8. Templeman C. Adolescent endometriosis. Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2009; 36:177.
  9. Amer S. Endometriosis. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine 2008;18:126.
  10. Gallenberg M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 29, 2010.
DS00289 Sept. 11, 2010

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