Endometriosis can and does affect young women. Pelvic pain and/or severe period cramps are among the most common symptoms. There can be pain before, during or after your period. The pain may occur at regular times in your cycle or at any time during the month. It is often referred to as chronic pelvic pain. Some teens may have pain with exercise, sex, and/or after a pelvic exam. Others may also have painful or frequent urination, diarrhea or constipation associated with their cycle. It's important to remember that as with all ages of patients, some teens may have significant disease yet very little pain, while others who may have a small amount may experience severe pain.

Studies have found that as many as 70% of teenagers and adolescents with chronic pelvic pain had Endometriosis proven by laparoscopy. Other reports indicate that as many as 41% of patients experienced Endometriosis pain as an adolescent. Often mistakenly minimized as simply "painful periods" or "killer cramps," the disease can be quite disruptive and cause significant dysfunction, especially at a time in life when self-esteem, school attendance and performance, and social involvement are critical. Recent studies have also shown that Endometriosis may have an even bigger impact on younger patients than older women. One such study discovered that in patients under 22 years of age, the rate of disease recurrence was double that of older women (35% as compared to 19%); the study also revealed that the disease behaves "differently" in younger women, leading some researchers to feel it is a different form of Endometriosis altogether.

It is very helpful to use a notebook, calendar or diary to keep track of your pain and menstrual cycle (see http://www.endocenter.org/pdf/Journal.pdf for an example). Bring this diary to your next doctor visit to discuss your concerns with your physician. Do not be afraid of asking questions. Your physician is there to help you, and s/he will. If there is something you do not understand, or something you feel you need to know more about, then ASK.

Endo Facts:

* Endometriosis can be hereditary.

* Young women CAN and DO suffer from symptoms of endometriosis.

* Endometriosis is NOT an STD (sexually transmitted disease).

* Chronic pelvic pain is not normal. Most young women have none or mild to moderate menstrual cramps one or two days a month. If you are absent from school due to pelvic pain or menstrual cramps or find your life interrupted by menstrual pain, consult your health care provider.

* Endometriosis occurs among women of ALL races.

* Getting pregnant does NOT cure this disease (but may temporarily improve symptoms for some women). Many women with endometriosis who have had children continue to have pain.

Please see, "Endometriosis in Teenagers" by Dr. David Redwine. Also: "Girl Talk," an Endo Program for young women under 25 years of age - http://www.endocenter.org/girltalk.htm and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ERCGirlTalk.