Endometriosis occurs when tissue that lines the inside of the uterus (womb) grows outside the uterus. In the United States, more than 11% of people with a uterus who are ages 15-44 have the condition. Endometriosis is most common among people in their 30s and 40s.
Knowing if you have endometriosis can help you find the right care for your symptoms and needs. For some people, that could mean managing the pain it causes. Other people may not have pain but may want to address the fertility issues the condition could be causing.
While a quiz can’t diagnose you, your results can help you decide if you should make an appointment for an examination and evaluation. If you’re on the fence about talking to a healthcare professional about your symptoms, take this quiz.
This quiz is for people ages 15-44 who have a uterus and think they might have endometriosis symptoms.
You may not have seen a healthcare provider for your symptoms. This quiz can be used as a starting point to decide whether or not you should visit a provider to seek a diagnosis.
For others, you may have talked to a provider but didn’t receive enough information, or you felt they dismissed your concerns. This quiz can help you decide whether you want a second opinion.
This quiz was developed in partnership with Renita White, MD, an OB-GYN at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and a member of Health.com’s Medical Expert Board.
The questions on this quiz are based on the most common symptoms people may experience with endometriosis. The quiz also asks about known risk factors and other health problems that can occur if you have the condition.
The most common and noticeable symptom of endometriosis is pain. This pain can be felt in different parts of the body, including the pelvis, lower back, and intestines.
Endometriosis pain can come in different forms and at different times. You may have extremely painful cramps while on your period. You may also experience pain during or after sex, during a bowel movement, or while urinating.
Other symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Heavy periods
- Bleeding or spotting between periods
- Digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and nausea
- Tiredness
- Infertility or difficulty getting pregnant
Researchers aren’t sure why some people develop endometriosis. A few factors that could play a role include:
- Genetics: Because it tends to run in families, endometriosis may have a genetic link.
- Immune system issues: If the immune system isn’t working properly, it may not find and get rid of endometrial tissue growing in places besides the uterus.
- Retrograde menstruation: This is when menstrual blood (which contains endometrial cells) flows back into the fallopian tubes and other areas instead of leaving the body.
- Hormones: Estrogen may play a part in endometriosis.
- Surgery: An abdominal surgery, like a Cesarean (C-section) or hysterectomy, could move endometrial cells. The cells may attach to scar tissue or other areas of the body.
- Cell transformation: One theory is that other cells in the body can change into endometrial cells and start growing in different areas.
- Transport: Another theory is that blood or the lymphatic system may move endometrial tissue to other areas of the body, similar to how cancer cells spread.
Risk Factors for Endometriosis
Some factors may increase your risk of developing endometriosis. These include:
- A family history of the condition (a parent, sibling, or child has endometriosis)
- Shorter menstrual cycles (27 days or less)
- Heavy periods that last longer than seven days
- Your first period began at age 11 or younger
- Infertility
Getting diagnosed with endometriosis can take time. A healthcare provider will likely first discuss your medical history and symptoms. They may do a pelvic exam to look for cysts or scars. They may also order imaging tests, like an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to see if you have ovarian cysts.
If your history, exam, and imaging results suggest possible endometriosis, the final step in getting a diagnosis is a surgery called a laparoscopy. Surgery is currently the only way to get an official endometriosis diagnosis.
During a laparoscopy, a surgeon makes a small cut in your abdomen and inserts a tube with a light and camera. The doctor uses the camera to examine the tissues in and around the uterus. They can see if you have endometrial tissue in places where it shouldn’t be.
They may also perform a biopsy, removing some tissue and sending it to a lab for testing. After studying the tissue sample under a microscope, endometriosis can be confirmed.
Endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose because it can cause symptoms similar to those of other conditions. It can sometimes take 4-11 years from the start of symptoms to get a diagnosis.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of endometriosis, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider. These symptoms could include heavy periods and bleeding between periods. You’ll also want to get checked if you feel dizzy or lightheaded due to heavy blood loss during your period.
If you’re trying to get pregnant and haven’t been able to after a year, you may want to talk to a healthcare provider about getting screened for endometriosis. You should also consider screening for the condition if your parent or sibling has endometriosis.
