Key takeaways
- There is no cure for endometriosis, and it can be a progressive condition. However, its progression varies. For some, it remains stable or even regresses, and treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
- Medications like hormone therapies and surgery can help manage endometriosis symptoms, but they have limitations, such as the possibility of pain returning after surgery.
- Endometriosis can affect fertility, but various interventions, including assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, can help people with endometriosis conceive.
Read on to learn more about the outlook for endometriosis and treatment options for the condition. This article also discusses healthcare disparities that may affect a person’s outlook and tips on communicating with healthcare professionals for better care.
The outlook for endometriosis depends on various factors, including the severity and extent of the condition.
Endometriosis can be a progressive condition for some people, and there is no cure. Some people may also experience more severe symptoms and complications, such as chronic pain and challenges with fertility.
However, treatment can help reduce or manage symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life. Some treatments can also help increase a person’s chances of conceiving.
Early diagnosis can help a person receive timely treatment, which may help improve their outlook. A person can work with a healthcare professional to develop individualized management strategies for their symptoms.
Stages and progression
Doctors most often use the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) system to determine the stage of endometriosis. There are four stages ranging from minimal to severe.
The stages describe the severity and extent of endometriosis tissue growth and scar tissue. However, they do not always correlate with the severity of symptoms.
This means the stage does not always determine the outlook of the condition, as someone with minimal or mild endometriosis may still experience severe pain or fertility problems.
For some people, endometriosis can progress from one stage to another. However, for others, the condition can remain stable or regress. A 2023 study found that the disease progressed in 29% to 45% of people, remained unchanged in 33% to 42%, and regressed in 22% to 29%.
Medication cannot cure endometriosis, but it may help relieve the symptoms and make the disease more manageable.
Hormonal medications are
- oral contraceptive pills
- progestin-only medications
- gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, which decrease the level of sex hormones, such as estrogen
These medications can slow the growth of endometrial tissue and prevent new scar tissue from forming. However, they do not usually destroy existing endometriosis growth.
A doctor may also suggest medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and inflammation. It is important to speak with a doctor about possible side effects of taking these medications for long-term use.
A doctor may recommend surgery if pharmacological treatment does not improve a person’s endometriosis.
Surgery to remove endometriosis tissue
A hysterectomy, in which a surgeon removes the uterus, may be a treatment option for those with severe endometriosis. A person can no longer get pregnant after this surgery, which may be an important consideration. It may also lead to health complications, including vaginal problems, early menopause, and blood clots.
According to researchers, 30% of people with endometriosis experience infertility. The disease may affect fertility in the following ways:
- causing inflammation in the pelvic area
- creating scar tissue that can block the fallopian tubes or damage the reproductive organs
- affecting egg growth
- causing a hormonal imbalance
- preventing an embryo from attaching to the uterus
A doctor can use the endometriosis fertility index (EFI) to estimate a person’s likelihood of getting pregnant. This is a 10-point scale that can indicate a person’s probability of conceiving without medical intervention. The EFI considers several factors, including:
- age
- the length of infertility
- pregnancy history
Doctors may make different recommendations based on the data from the EFI.
In a
Endometriosis can affect multiple aspects of a person’s life.
The disease can lead to chronic pain and mental health problems, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, that can
Mental health care professionals may be able to help individuals manage the emotional and psychological challenges of endometriosis. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, such as antidepressants.
A person can also join support groups, which can provide access to community, information, and helpful resources. Organizations like Endometriosis.org and The Endometriosis Foundation can help people locate groups and provide a variety of resources.
Healthcare professionals may not always recognize the symptoms of endometriosis, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. Doctors typically only diagnose the condition
This can result in people feeling as though healthcare professionals are dismissive of their concerns. Practicing self-advocacy may help individuals assert their preferences and actively participate in their care.
To self-advocate at the doctor’s office, a person can learn about their condition, prepare questions ahead of time, and ask the doctor for as much clarification as they need about their symptoms and treatment options.
They may also want to keep detailed records of their medical history, including their symptoms, previous diagnoses, and treatments.
If a person still feels unheard or misunderstood, they may want to seek a second opinion from a specialist or another doctor.
Healthcare disparities and self-advocacy
The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.
The symptoms of endometriosis overlap with those of many other conditions, which makes it difficult to recognize or diagnose. However, factors such as race and gender discrimination may also contribute to the low rate of diagnosis.
Other barriers to healthcare include a lack of access to specialists and lower socioeconomic status. These disparities can result in a poorer outlook for the condition.
A 2019 review of studies found that Black women and Hispanic women were about
Research also suggests that healthcare professionals administer lower-quality pain care to non-white women and that Black women are underrepresented in endometriosis studies.
It should not be a person’s responsibility to have to seek out unbiased and fair healthcare. However, racism and gender bias in the healthcare system often result in women of color receiving lower-quality care.
Locating an anti-racist healthcare professional and learning to self-advocate are steps a person can take to find satisfactory care.
Endometriosis does not always worsen over time. For many people, the disease remains unchanged or regresses. Treatment can also help improve the symptoms.
Although it may not go away, in some cases, endometriosis regresses on its own.
Most people with endometriosis can conceive. If the condition does cause infertility challenges, treatment may help increase an individual’s chances of getting pregnant.
The outlook for endometriosis may depend on how severe the symptoms are and other factors. There is no cure for the disease. However, treatment can help people manage the symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Endometriosis can result in infertility for some people. Treatment, such as some types of surgery and medication, may improve fertility.
The psychological and emotional effects of endometriosis can also impact a person’s well-being. Interventions such as psychotherapy and joining a support network can help a person manage these challenges.