From the series of articles 'Talking Women', written by the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health featuring each month in Medical Observer.

 Endometriosis explained 184.05 Kb

Endometriosis is thought to occur in 10% of women but the prevalence may be lower.

A study using data from the UK General Practice Research Database showed the specific symptoms of dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia and abdominal and pelvic pain were significantly associated with endometriosis.

In the year prior to diagnosis, about 10 per cent of the women had multiple visits to their doctors to seek help and were twice as likely to take time off work because of the symptoms.

There is a greater risk of being misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome or pelvic inflammatory disease, or of these conditions co-existing.

Full article and references are available at 2008 July - Endometriosis explained

Content Updated July 4, 2008