Endometriosis is a condition that impacts 1 in 10 women and people with periods, but it is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. While many women with endometriosis can conceive naturally, the condition can sometimes affect a fertility journey. If someone you know is living with endometriosis, understanding its complexities, symptoms, and management will help you be a more supportive partner.
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a complicated and nuanced condition, but we’ll explain it in a digestible way.
The condition is a full-body inflammatory disease with links to the autoimmune system. One of its key characteristics is that it causes tissue similar to the womb lining to grow where it shouldn’t — such as in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, or bowel.
This tissue acts like the uterine lining during a period — it becomes inflamed and attempts to shed. However, unlike a normal period, this tissue has no way to leave the body. Instead, it forms adhesions or scar tissue that can be extremely painful.
Endometriosis is categorized into four stages by the American Reproductive Society, based on the number and depth of adhesions. However, pain severity doesn’t always match the stage — even Stage 1 endometriosis can cause debilitating pelvic pain and drastically affect quality of life.
Main Symptoms of Endometriosis
Pain is one of the biggest symptoms, but it’s often dismissed as a “painful, heavy period.” Because of this, many people suffer in silence, and it takes an average of 8 years for someone with endometriosis to receive a formal diagnosis.
Common symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain
- Aches and pains in the lower stomach, legs, or back
- Debilitating period pain
- Heavy periods
- Spotting between periods
- Chronic fatigue
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain when going to the toilet
- Nausea
- Discomfort during ovulation
- Chronic constipation or diarrhoea
- Blood in urine or feces
- Fertility issues
- Depression and other mental health challenges
Many of these symptoms overlap with digestive issues like IBS, leading to misdiagnosis. While gut health and endometriosis are often linked, IBS treatments won’t cure endometriosis — which is why distinguishing between the two is crucial.
Is There a Cure for Endometriosis?
Sadly, there’s currently no cure. Many women are prescribed birth control to stop their periods or cycles, which may temporarily relieve pain but only masks the problem.
Surgery is another option — most commonly laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) — which helps confirm a diagnosis and remove tissue. This can be done via excision (cutting tissue out), ablation (destroying it with heat), or both. However, recurrence is possible even after surgery.
Lifestyle changes can also reduce symptoms. A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, regular exercise, and improved sleep can help. Movement reduces muscle tension, which may ease pain.
Because endometriosis has no cure, it often affects mental well-being. Access to emotional and medical support is essential for maintaining a good quality of life.
Can Endometriosis Impact Fertility?
Many people with endometriosis go on to become parents, but 30–50% of female infertility cases are associated with endometriosis. The exact cause varies, but often scar tissue damages reproductive organs like the ovaries or blocks the fallopian tubes.
For women struggling to conceive, assisted fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF, and ICSI may help. Before treatment, both partners should optimize their reproductive health. For women, this might mean lifestyle and dietary adjustments guided by their doctor. For men, getting a sperm test and improving sperm count, motility, and volume through healthy habits can make a big difference.
Supporting a Partner with Endometriosis
There may be no cure for endometriosis, but there are many ways to support a partner facing the condition:
- Believe them when they say they’re in pain. Many people with endo feel dismissed, even by doctors.
- Help them advocate for themselves. Offer to attend appointments, help track symptoms, and take notes.
- Support healthy lifestyle choices. Find low-impact exercise to do together and cook anti-inflammatory meals that can also boost fertility.
- Offer at-home pain relief. A bath, heating pad, or massage can provide comfort — offer without them asking.
- Spread awareness. Continue conversations about endometriosis beyond awareness month. Use your voice to challenge myths and misinformation.
