Certain risk factors can increase your chance of developing endometriosis. These risk factors include:
- starting your period young (before 11)
- a family history of endometriosis
- heavy periods that last more than seven days
- having your period more often (less than 27 days apart)
- reproductive tract abnormalities
- any condition that prevents, blocks, or redirects the flow of your period
- oestrogen levels that are higher than normal
- not having any children
- alcohol consumption
- low body weight.
While risk factors may help to reach a diagnosis, anyone experiencing symptoms should consider endometriosis as the cause. People can have endometriosis and have none of the risk factors outlined.
Keep learning about endometriosis with the Epworth Endometriosis Guide – a free resource explaining symptoms, myths, diagnosis and treatment.
About endometriosis
- What is endometriosis
- What causes endometriosis
- What are the symptoms
- What are the risk factors
- Myths surrounding endometriosis
- Epworth Endometriosis Patient Guide