FAQs: Get Your Endometriosis Questions Answered
From diagnosis delays to treatment options, find straightforward answers to the questions you have about endometriosis.
FAQs: Get Your Endometriosis Questions Answered
From diagnosis delays to treatment options, find straightforward answers to the questions you have about endometriosis.
What is endometriosis, and is it considered a menstrual disease?
Endometriosis is a systemic, inflammatory condition characterized by tissue similar to the lining of the uterus growing in other parts of the body. Endometriosis has been found in every organ. It is not simply a menstrual disease, yet is often mischaracterized as such, even by reputable sources.
Approximately how many people are affected by endometriosis, and what are some common symptoms they may experience?
Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 people born with female reproductive organs. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, pelvic pain any time during the month, a wide range of GI symptoms, urinary symptoms, fatigue, debilitating periods and more depending on where the endometriosis lesions are located in the body.
What is the average diagnostic delay for endometriosis, and what factors contribute to this delay?
Symptoms often start early in life, but due to cultural taboos, misinformation and a historical lack of emphasis in medical education, they may be ignored or misdiagnosed by caregivers, healthcare consumers and practitioners alike. The average diagnostic delay is 7-10 years.
When can endometriosis symptoms begin, and what percentage of teenagers withchronic pelvic pain may have the condition?
Endometriosis symptoms may begin as early as when puberty starts. Endometriosis symptoms can present before menstruation, during menstruation, and/or after menstruation. An estimated 70% of teens with chronic pelvic pain go on to be later diagnosed with endometriosis.
What constitutes a "red flag" regarding pelvic pain, and what action should be taken if someone experiences this?
Red flag: If you or your patient regularly feels pain during or around periods, and this pain is bad enough to interfere with usual activities, this is a red flag - it is not normal and should be investigated further as soon as possible. (If you do not have this, it doesn't mean that you don't have endometriosis).
Identified risk factors for developing endometriosis.
Risk factors for endometriosis include a mother or sister having the disease (7x increased risk), early onset of menses, short or frequent menstrual cycles, Mullerian abnormalities, autoimmune conditions and more. However, many people develop endo who have none of these risk factors.
Is a hysterectomy considered a cure for endometriosis, and is pregnancy a cure?
Hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis. A disease characterized by tissue found outside of the uterus is not cured by removal of the uterus, ovaries and/or tubes and cervix. Over 100,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States for endometriosis and most of them are unnecessary. Neither is pregnancy a cure for endometriosis.
Why are individualized, multi-disciplinary treatment plans needed for endometriosis, and which specialist should be consulted?
People with endometriosis need an individualized, multi-disciplinary treatment plan that may include specialized, incredibly difficult surgery. Most gynecologists are not trained in advanced endometriosis cases. Drug therapy may suppress symptoms, yet it does not eradicate endometriosis. Patients should be referred to an endometriosis specialist.
What are some common co-morbidities associated with endometriosis?
People with endometriosis have an increased risk of co-morbidities including allergies, asthma, and chemical sensitivities, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, and certain cancers, such as ovarian and breast cancer.
How does endometriosis impact quality of life beyond physical symptoms, and what holistic approach is recommended?
Endometriosis often reduces quality of life and contributes to psychological distress. Unnecessary delays in diagnosis and gaslighting contribute to the negative mental health impacts of the disease. A holistic approach to care including mental health support can improve quality of life.
What is endometriosis, and is it considered a menstrual disease?
Endometriosis is a systemic, inflammatory condition characterized by tissue similar to the lining of the uterus growing in other parts of the body. Endometriosis has been found in every organ. It is not simply a menstrual disease, yet is often mischaracterized as such, even by reputable sources.
Approximately how many people are affected by endometriosis, and what are some common symptoms they may experience?
Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 people born with female reproductive organs. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, pelvic pain any time during the month, a wide range of GI symptoms, urinary symptoms, fatigue, debilitating periods and more depending on where the endometriosis lesions are located in the body.
What is the average diagnostic delay for endometriosis, and what factors contribute to this delay?
Symptoms often start early in life, but due to cultural taboos, misinformation and a historical lack of emphasis in medical education, they may be ignored or misdiagnosed by caregivers, healthcare consumers and practitioners alike. The average diagnostic delay is 7-10 years.
When can endometriosis symptoms begin, and what percentage of teenagers withchronic pelvic pain may have the condition?
Endometriosis symptoms may begin as early as when puberty starts. Endometriosis symptoms can present before menstruation, during menstruation, and/or after menstruation. An estimated 70% of teens with chronic pelvic pain go on to be later diagnosed with endometriosis.
What constitutes a "red flag" regarding pelvic pain, and what action should be taken if someone experiences this?
Red flag: If you or your patient regularly feels pain during or around periods, and this pain is bad enough to interfere with usual activities, this is a red flag - it is not normal and should be investigated further as soon as possible. (If you do not have this, it doesn't mean that you don't have endometriosis).
Identified risk factors for developing endometriosis.
Risk factors for endometriosis include a mother or sister having the disease (7x increased risk), early onset of menses, short or frequent menstrual cycles, Mullerian abnormalities, autoimmune conditions and more. However, many people develop endo who have none of these risk factors.
Is a hysterectomy considered a cure for endometriosis, and is pregnancy a cure?
Hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis. A disease characterized by tissue found outside of the uterus is not cured by removal of the uterus, ovaries and/or tubes and cervix. Over 100,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States for endometriosis and most of them are unnecessary. Neither is pregnancy a cure for endometriosis.
Why are individualized, multi-disciplinary treatment plans needed for endometriosis, and which specialist should be consulted?
People with endometriosis need an individualized, multi-disciplinary treatment plan that may include specialized, incredibly difficult surgery. Most gynecologists are not trained in advanced endometriosis cases. Drug therapy may suppress symptoms, yet it does not eradicate endometriosis. Patients should be referred to an endometriosis specialist.
What are some common co-morbidities associated with endometriosis?
People with endometriosis have an increased risk of co-morbidities including allergies, asthma, and chemical sensitivities, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, and certain cancers, such as ovarian and breast cancer.
How does endometriosis impact quality of life beyond physical symptoms, and what holistic approach is recommended?
Endometriosis often reduces quality of life and contributes to psychological distress. Unnecessary delays in diagnosis and gaslighting contribute to the negative mental health impacts of the disease. A holistic approach to care including mental health support can improve quality of life.
Who are "Our Daughters??"
Who are “Our Daughters”?
I recently learned that the only time Jesus referred to an individual adult woman as “My Daughter” was in the gospels when the woman with the “issue of blood” touched His garment and was healed (Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34, Luke 8:48). In that moment, Jesus didn’t just cure her—He showed compassion, tenderness, and restored her dignity.
This woman had maintained strength and hope despite deep suffering. She broke every cultural rule by approaching Jesus in a crowd. Banished and forced into the shadows, she lived figuratively and literally alone. Scripture doesn’t name her illness, but it sounds strikingly similar to conditions like endometriosis: twelve years of nonstop bleeding, social isolation, and the heavy burden of shame and loneliness.
When Jesus calls her “Daughter,” He restores more than her health. He restores her identity. He reintegrates her into community and publicly declares her value. He stops the entire procession, draws her out of anonymity, honors her faith, and speaks to her with reassurance and care.
So—who are Our Daughters?
They are women fighting silent battles. Many suffer privately because their illnesses carry stigma. Many feel alone, unseen, and unsupported. They have been failed by our healthcare system, by lack of research, by limited insurance coverage, and sometimes even by the people closest to them who don’t understand their struggle.
Our Daughters Foundation exists to remind these women that they are not alone. They don’t have to hide in the shadows. They can ask for help, and we can show them that we see them, God sees them, and we care.
As a mother of three young women, I believe God used my experiences to give me a deep love for empowering and supporting women. One of the most encouraging things to me is realizing that God cared so much about this woman’s suffering that her story is told in three of the four gospels. Jesus intentionally restores her dignity, protects her, and ultimately heals her. We may not know if she had endometriosis, PCOS, or another hormone-related disease—but the parallels are unmistakable.
My personal, biological daughters will never receive a dollar from this foundation. Our Daughters who will benefit are ALL of our daughters…the women pressing through the crowd, hoping someone notices their struggle and lifts them up. That is what we hope to do.
Specifically, Our Daughters Foundation provides:
Research Funding for women’s health issues that remain grossly underfunded and poorly understood.
Compassionate Grants for women seeking life-changing treatments or surgeries often not covered by insurance.
A Benevolence Fund offering one-time assistance to women who are alone and in need.
All giving channels operate through trusted care teams and partners who help vet each applicant.
Our Daughters Foundation began as a way to show love and care to all women, especially those suffering from debilitating hormone-related diseases like endometriosis. Our Daughters refers to all women—a term of belonging, endearment, protection, love, and commitment.
Join Us: Make a Difference Today
Your support can transform lives. Every donation helps us fund research, advocate for better care, and provide essential grants to women facing debilitating conditions.
Join Us: Make a Difference Today
Your support can transform lives. Every donation helps us fund research, advocate for better care, and provide essential grants to women facing debilitating conditions.
