About Endometriosis

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an estrogen-driven disease characterised by the presence of endometrium-like epithelium and/or stroma outside the endometrium and myometrium, usually with an associated inflammatory process.1,2‍

Symptoms1,2

Pain
  • Severe dysmenorrhoea
  • Recurring or persistent pelvic pain (menstrual and non-menstrual)
  • Deep dyspareunia
  • Ovulation pain
  • Pain during internal examination
  • Back or leg pain
Bleeding
  • Heavy, irregular, extended or post-coital bleeding with or without clots
  • Dark or old blood being passed before or at the end of menses
Bowel and bladder symptoms
  • Cyclic bladder or bowel symptoms
  • Pain before or after opening bowels
  • Pain before, during, or after urination
  • Bleeding from the bowel
  • Blood in the urine
  • Constipation, diarrhoea, or colic
Other symptoms
  • Chronic fatigue, weariness, bloating, or pain not during periods or ovulation
  • Infertility
  • Fainting during periods or feeling faint
  • Nausea
  • Depression

Endometriosis

Prevalence

Endometriosis impacts

1 in 7 women and those assigned female at birth in Australia.*3
Up to 75% of women with moderate to severe pelvic pain.4

Burden

Endometriosis is associated
with a significant disease burden
in Australia.3,5–7
Endometriosis was:
  • Responsible for 8,213 years of healthy life lost in 2023.5
  • The third leading cause of non-fatal disease burden among females due to reproductive and maternal conditions.5
  • Associated with 40,500 hospitalisations in 2021–2022.3
  • Associated with poor mental health, severe depression levels and moderate anxiety and stress levels.6

*Based on those diagnosed with the condition by age 44–49. †Estimates based on data from 2017.

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References

  • Zondervan KT, et al. N Engl J Med. 2020;382:1244–56.
  • Tomassetti C, et al. Hum Reprod Open;2021(4).
  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) Endometriosis, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed May 2024.
  • Buck Louis GM, et al. Fertil Steril.2011;96:360–65.
  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian Burden of Disease Study 2023, AIHW website, accessed May 2024.
  • Rush G, et al. Monash University Behavioural Sciences Lab, 2018.
  • Armour M, et al. PLoS One. 2019;10;14(10).