Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the presence of endometrial-like tissue (the endometrium is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus) outside the uterus — for example, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum, and sometimes even the intestines and bladder.
The presence of this tissue outside the uterus triggers an inflammatory response, responsible for the painful symptoms of the disease, and can lead to the formation of scar tissue and adhesions.

Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent condition, and each month, under the effects of fluctuating ovarian hormone levels, the ectopically implanted tissue undergoes cyclical changes. These changes can worsen pelvic pain during menstruation or ovulation.

Typical symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Severe menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
• Pain during or after intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Ovulation pain
• Intestinal or rectal pain (dyschezia)
• Painful urination (dysuria)
• Chronic fatigue
• Abdominal bloating
• Infertility

This disease is widespread: its prevalence is comparable to that of other well-known conditions, such as diabetes, yet unlike diabetes, it remains under-recognized and misunderstood. It is estimated to affect 176 million women worldwide, 14 million in Europe, and 3 million in Italy.
Endometriosis primarily affects women of reproductive age, with a peak incidence between 25 and 35 years, although cases among very young women and adolescents are increasingly common. Adolescence is often the time when the first symptoms appear. About 50% of adolescents with undiagnosed endometriosis miss several days of school due to menstrual pain, and it is estimated that around 75% of girls and young women with chronic pelvic pain are affected by endometriosis.
Moreover, women with a mother or sister with endometriosis are up to seven times more likely to develop the disease themselves, suggesting a possible hereditary component.

Endometriosis can have a profound impact on quality of life: it affects relationships, work, emotional well-being, and sexual health. Recognizing the signs and talking to a healthcare provider is essential. Early diagnosis can truly make a difference and allow for timely intervention before the disease progresses.

Do you experience severe pelvic pain? Unexplained lower back pain during your period? Painful sex? Alternating constipation and diarrhea during your cycle?
These could be warning signs. The first step is listening to your body. The second is asking for help.

Endometriosis – video

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that is still far too unknown, underestimated, and overlooked, despite affecting a very large number of women of reproductive age, including in Italy.

For years, A.P.E. ODV has been on the front lines, fighting against the ignorance and misinformation that still surround this disease. We stand against a healthcare system that does not guarantee ticket exemption (healthcare cost coverage) for all patients with endometriosis.
We stand against approximations, indifference, and the lack of an adequate support network. And we continue to raise our voices, demanding that the National Endometriosis Registry, established in 2017, be fully implemented and made operational in all Italian regions.

The video below can be a useful tool to help explain what endometriosis really is to the people around you. Sharing it can help you receive greater understanding and support — because no one should have to face this disease alone.