Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the layer of tissue that normally covers the inside of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of it, for example in the ovaries and fallopian tubes. One third of women with endometriosis have no symptoms. Endometriosis is a potential co-morbidity of chronic fatigue syndrome. Endometriosis can affect teenagers as well as older adults, and is a long term condition.

Symptoms
Symptoms may include :


 * Dysmenorrhea
 * Heavy or irregular bleeding
 * Pelvic pain
 * Lower abdominal pain or back pain
 * Dyspareunia
 * Dyschezia (pain on defecation) - Often with cycles of diarrhea and constipation
 * Bloating, nausea, and vomiting
 * Inguinal pain
 * Pain on micturition and/or urinary frequency
 * Pain during exercise

ME/CFS
Patients with ME/CFS may have higher rates of gynecologic disorders including endometriosis, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, uterine fibroids, menstrual abnormalities and galactorrhea.

A 2018 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that more than a third of women with CFS (36.1%) reported endometriosis as a comorbid condition. Women with both CFS and endometriosis report more chronic pelvic pain, earlier menopause, hysterectomy, and more CFS-related symptoms compared to women with CFS-only.

Research studies

 * 2019, Endometriosis as a Comorbid Condition in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Secondary Analysis of Data from a CFS Case-Control study

Learn more

 * Endometriosis - NHS