The Impact of Endometriosis on Women and Girls: An Unrecognized and Painful Disease
Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects approximately 10 percent of women worldwide and more than 11 percent in the United States. It is characterized by the growth of uterine-like tissue outside the uterus, which forms lesions on various organs. This leads to inflammation, scarring, and cysts, causing severe pain and other complications. Many women experience symptoms from a young age but are often dismissed by family members and doctors. Shockingly, over 60 percent of women initially told by gynecologists that nothing was wrong. Lack of awareness and research about endometriosis in teens results in delayed diagnosis, making it difficult to determine its prevalence in this age group. However, an analysis of over 1,000 adolescents with pelvic pain revealed that 64 percent had endometriosis. This highlights the urgent need for improved education, awareness, and research to ensure early detection and effective management of this incurable disease.