Silent endometriosis is a form of endometriosis where people don’t experience the typical symptoms associated with the condition, like pain. It’s sometimes called asymptomatic endometriosis.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body — for example, in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or pelvis. This usually causes significant pelvic pain.
However, some people have no noticeable symptoms or mild symptoms, which is informally called “silent endometriosis.”
It’s estimated that between
Because their symptoms aren’t overt, their endometriosis often goes undetected until they experience difficulties becoming pregnant or undergoing surgery for other reasons.
A person with silent endometriosis might either experience no noticeable symptoms or mild symptoms. They might think mild symptoms are caused by other conditions or issues.
For example, someone with silent endometriosis might experience mild pain around their period. They might mistake this for period pains, especially since endometriosis pain might get worse around menstruation.
Further examples include:
- Pain during urination might be mistaken for a urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and pain with bowel movements might be mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Lower back pain might be attributed to sciatica, muscle strains, or an injury.
Because these symptoms may be mistakenly attributed to other conditions, it can be hard to figure out that you have silent endometriosis.
Another symptom of endometriosis is difficulty becoming pregnant. This symptom can also affect people with silent endometriosis. A 2022 review found that
Often, it’s only at this point that someone with silent endometriosis might receive a diagnosis.
Endometriosis can affect fertility for many reasons. Depending on where the tissue grows, it can impair ovarian function and block fallopian tubes.
Endometriosis might also increase your risk of miscarriage.
Some people with endometriosis are still able to become pregnant without medical assistance. For those who can’t, certain treatments — like surgery or medications — might help you become pregnant.
It’s a good idea to make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you’re having difficulty becoming pregnant for 12 months or longer. And if you suspect you might have endometriosis, consider bringing it up with them.
Getting an endometriosis diagnosis can be challenging. Endometriosis is an underdiagnosed condition. Even when your symptoms are obvious, it can be difficult to get a diagnosis from a healthcare professional.
Research published in 2019 found that it can take 4 to 11 years from the onset of symptoms to get an endometriosis diagnosis.
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The only way to confirm that you have endometriosis is through a surgery called a laparoscopy. This involves making a small incision in your abdomen and using a small device (known as a laparoscope) to look for misplaced endometrial tissue.
Because this is an invasive and often costly procedure, a healthcare professional might first run tests to rule out other possible conditions.
Consider reading our guide on self-advocacy for people with endometriosis or our tips on advocating for yourself at the doctor.
Silent endometriosis is a form of endometriosis that doesn’t produce the typical symptoms associated with the condition, such as severe pain or heavy periods. However, it can still affect your day-to-day life as well as your fertility.
If you have concerns about your reproductive health, including unexplained fertility issues, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional. From there, you can explore treatment options to address your symptoms.
Sian Ferguson is a freelance health and cannabis writer based in Cape Town, South Africa. She’s passionate about empowering readers to take care of their mental and physical health through science-based, empathetically delivered information.
