Risks


FACTORS INCREASING THE RISK OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

  1. Early onset of menstrual periods
  2. Heavy periods
  3. Painful periods
  4. Prolonged periods
  5. Allergy (eg: foods, eczema, hay fever)
  6. Obesity 
  7. Family history of endometriosis eg: mother or sister

Environmental toxins are also a possible cause of the disease as dioxin has been shown to cause disease in a factory where it was used excessively and also has been shown to cause endometriosis in monkeys.

FACTORS REDUCING THE RISK OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

  1. Aerobic exercise of 5 hours per week which in two studies has shown a 50% reduction in the risk of recurrence.
  2. Childbearing reduces the risk of recurrence by about 50%.
  3. The contraceptive pill has a similar protective effect by preventing ovulation when there is a surge of estrogen production and spill into the pelvis.
  4. Smoking also reduces the risk of endometriosis, although it is obviously not a reason to continue smoking.