Endometriosis - Epidemiology

Epidemiology

Endometriosis can affect any female, from premenarche to postmenopause, regardless of race or ethnicity or whether or not they have had children. It is primarily a disease of the reproductive years. Its prevalence varies, but 6–10% is a reasonable number, more common in women with infertility and chronic pelvic pain (35–50%).

As an estrogen-dependent process, it can persist beyond menopause and persists in up to 40% of patients following hysterectomy. In some cases, it may also begin beyond menopause and it has also been described in men taking high-dose estrogen therapy.