Women's health: What is endometriosis and how to detect it early

It affects 1 in 7 women in Australia, so it's important to understand what this health condition is and how to manage it.

Published on the 02 September 2026

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How to detect it early

What is endometriosis?

You've probably heard of the term endometriosis mentioned by medical experts quite a bit over the last few years. That's because it is a progressive chronic health condition that affects about 1 in 7 Australian girls, women and those assigned female at birth, and approx. 190 million women worldwide.

Endometriosis is when body tissue similar to the uterus lining (called endometrium) grows outside of the uterus (i.e. where it shouldn't be). It typically grows in the pelvic cavity, but can grow in surrounding areas, such as the bowel and bladder.

When does it start?

This is a complex condition that can start anywhere from when a girl gets her first period all the way through to menopause.

The important thing is to keep an eye on symptoms and get diagnosed early.

Why does it happen?

That's the unfortunate million-dollar question. Doctors don't know what exactly causes endometriosis, but there are biological factors that can put you at greater risk, such as:

Retrograde menstruation: This is when menstrual (period) blood travels backwards into the pelvis. Blood cells become trapped on the pelvic organs and grow.
Your immune system: Being immunocompromised or having a weak immune system may mean your body is unable to remove menstrual tissue that flows backwards into the pelvis.
Family history: There's a genetic factor to this; people who have close family members with endometriosis are more likely to also develop it.

There is no known way to prevent this condition, but rest assured that doctors and researchers are working hard to unravel the mysteries of endometriosis. In fact, UNSW is home to the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI), the first institute in the world dedicated solely to endometriosis research.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

The symptoms and their severity vary from person to person, depending on where the endometriosis is. In fact, many women with endometriosis experience no symptoms or issues.

Typical symptoms include:

Abdominal or pelvic pain with your period, sex or going to the toilet
Pain in your thigh or leg (which may progressively get worse)
Heavy periods or irregular bleeding
Bleeding from the bladder or bowel, or changes in urination or bowel movements
Feeling bloated, with or without pain
Tiredness, especially around the time of your period
Infertility.

What happens is the endometrium breaks down each month when you have your period, typically leading to pain and inflammation. This can result in scarring and the subsequent scar tissue can cause blockages in the fallopian tubes, leading to fertility issues.

Some people may experience a change in symptoms over time, or experience severe pain that can affect their work and day-to-day.

How to detect endometriosis early

Generally speaking, many people learn about their endometriosis diagnosis when they see a doctor for other health issues, such as fertility problems or surgery. Some people may not even experience any pain or discomfort. Symptoms can also change over time and some symptoms overlap with other conditions.

As such, diagnosing this condition is difficult and there may be a long delay between initially developing the condition and getting a proper diagnosis.

The most surefire way to diagnose endometriosis is to see your doctor. They will ask about your symptoms and perform an examination. Your doctor may recommend an ultrasound, MRI scan or laparoscopy (i.e. a safe keyhole surgery to get a good look inside your body), the latter of which will provide a conclusive diagnosis on whether you do or don't have endometriosis.

Managing and treating endometriosis

Women are more likely to have good long-term outcomes when they get an early referral and help from health professionals, such as doctors, gynaecologists, surgeons with special training and pelvic floor physiotherapists.

There is no cure for endometriosis at this stage, but there are treatments available to help manage and relieve symptoms.

In addition to endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics available to help with treatment services, there are several other treatment options available depending on your symptoms and the severity of the condition. These include:

Pain relief: Use of heat (such as hot water bottles and baths) can help reduce pain.
Medicines: To provide relief from cramps and pelvic pain.
Hormone therapy: Examples include the oral contraceptive pill and progestogen. By reducing estrogen levels and slowing or stopping endometrium growth, it can help control pain.
Surgery: Endometriosis tissue is removed through laparoscopy. In some cases, the uterus may be removed (hysterectomy). Generally speaking, surgery is only performed when other treatment options haven't worked.

A treatment's effectiveness varies depending on the person. It's important to check with your doctor and discuss which options are best for you.

If you have questions about endometriosis or want to speak to a doctor about it, the UNSW Health Service is here to help you. The health professionals and Doctors working there can answer any questions you have and provide recommendations on what to do next.