Understanding Endometriosis: A Complex and Still Too Misunderstood Disease

Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 women, yet it often remains undiagnosed, misunderstood, and minimized. Long classified into “stages” from I to IV, this approach has been abandoned in favor of better recognition of the complexity and heterogeneity of endometriosis. In this article, we provide an overview of this disease that can deeply affect daily life, often in silence.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus. Each menstrual cycle, this tissue reacts to hormones, bleeds, but cannot evacuate: this causes pain, adhesions, inflammation, and sometimes organ damage.

The Different Forms of Endometriosis

According to official recommendations (HAS, CNGOF), there are three main forms of endometriosis:

  • Superficial (or peritoneal) endometriosis: lesions on the surface of the peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdominal cavity). It is the most common and not always the least painful.

  • Ovarian endometriosis: this form manifests as cysts called endometriomas (or “chocolate cysts”) on the ovaries.

  • Deep pelvic endometriosis (or sub-peritoneal): lesions infiltrate tissues more than 5 mm deep under the peritoneum. It can affect the ligaments, rectum, bladder, ureters, and even the vagina.

These forms can coexist and the symptoms vary greatly depending on their location and extent. Some women suffer intensely with little to show on imaging, while others may have extensive lesions without much pain.

A Wide Range of Sometimes Misleading Symptoms

Each person experiences endometriosis differently. Symptoms may include:

  • severe menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)

  • pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

  • chronic pelvic pain

  • digestive or urinary disorders

  • chronic fatigue

  • infertility

Some women experience no symptoms at all and only discover the disease during a fertility check-up or surgery.

Why Is It So Difficult to Diagnose?

Endometriosis is still insufficiently taught in medical training. Until 2018, it wasn’t even included in the French medical curriculum. Moreover, since menstrual pain is often normalized, many women wait 7 to 10 years before receiving a diagnosis.

A Benign but Sometimes Disabling Disease

Medically, endometriosis is classified as “benign” because it is not life-threatening. However, it can be profoundly disabling and significantly impact quality of life. It is an invisible and misunderstood condition, which often isolates those who suffer from it.

Key Takeaways

Endometriosis is not a single disease: it encompasses a range of pathologies grouped under one name. There is no one-size-fits-all journey, pain pattern, or treatment. Recognizing this diversity is essential to better support women who live with it.

At BADR – Clair de Lune, we are closely familiar with this reality. That’s why our clothing is designed to combine softness, comfort, and body respect. Offering garments that do not constrict the belly—clothes that soothe instead of compress—is also a way to acknowledge pain without making it invisible.

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