Symptoms
The symptoms of endometriosis vary. Some women experience mild symptoms, but others can have moderate to severe symptoms. The severity of your pain doesn’t indicate the degree or stage of the condition. You may have a mild form of the disease, yet experience agonizing pain. It’s also possible to have a severe form and have very little discomfort.
Pelvic pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis.
Risk Factors
About 2 to 10 percent of childbearing women in the United States have endometriosis. It usually develops years after the start of your menstrual cycle. This condition can be painful, but understanding the risk factors can help you determine whether you’re susceptible to this condition and when you should talk to your doctor.
Age
Women of all ages are at risk for endometriosis. It usually affects women between the ages of 25 and 40, but symptoms can begin at puberty.
Family history
Talk to your doctor if you have a family member who has endometriosis. You may have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Pregnancy history
Pregnancy seems to protect women against endometriosis progressing. Women who haven’t had children run a greater risk of developing the disorder. However, endometriosis can still occur in women who’ve had children. This supports the understanding that hormones influence the development and progress of the condition.
If you have endometriosis, you’ll be encouraged to have babies earlier, rather than later in life.
Pregnancy doesn’t cure endometriosis, but there may be fewer symptoms afterward.
Source: Healthline.com