My 16-year-old daughter was just diagnosed with endometriosis. Does this mean she will have difficulty having children later in life?
- Barbara

When a woman has endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus starts growing outside the uterus. The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain.

Endometriosis can make it more difficult for some women to have children, although most are able to. Fortunately, doctors are recognizing endometriosis earlier — sometimes even in teen girls. Discovering and treating endometriosis early can decrease the chances of future problems with having children.

Talk to your daughter's doctor about her treatment options. The key is to work with a doctor who understands endometriosis and is sensitive to your family's needs and concerns in treating it.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: May 2010