Endometriosis Causes & Risks

Causes

Possible causes include:

Menstrual tissue backs up through the fallopian tubes and spills into the abdomen
Immune system may allow the tissue to implant and develop into endometriosis
Lymph system may carry endometrial cells from the uterus
Certain cells on abdominal organs turn into endometrial tissue

Hormones and growth factors cause the disease to progress.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of developing this condition. The following may be associated with endometriosis:

Family history, a mother or sister with endometriosis
Early onset of menstruation
Not having children—Pregnancy slows or stops the disease from progressing. The condition usually resolves at menopause . The symptoms may return with hormone replacement therapy .
Prolonged menstrual bleeding (more than 7-8 days)
Abnormal development of the uterus, with a blocked segment

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2025 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.