Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAmong 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.
- Endometriosis. The National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/endometriosis.cfm. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- Schenken RS. Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis of endometriosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- Endometriosis. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp013.cfm. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- Kokakoc E, et al. Endometriosis. Ultrasound Clinics. 2008;3:399.
- 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.
- Schenken RS. Overview of the treatment of endometriosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- Boyle KJ, et al. Benign gynecologic conditions. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2008;88:245.
- Templeman C. Adolescent endometriosis. Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2009; 36:177.
- Amer S. Endometriosis. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine 2008;18:126.
- Gallenberg M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 29, 2010.

Find Mayo Clinic on