What are the risk factors?

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.