8 key facts to know about endometriosis

Extreme cramping, heavy bleeding, and digestive issues: They're all just part of a typical period, right? Not exactly. They could be signs of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is often described as an "invisible" disease because the signs may mimic those of other health conditions. And since endometriosis is tied to the menstrual cycle, many people simply assume it’s something they have to deal with every month.

But the condition is more than just a rough period. With endometriosis, the tissue that typically lines the uterus—also known as the endometrium—grows outside of the uterus. Endo patches typically find their way to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic organs. In some cases, they grow on the intestines and bladder, and in rare cases, even the lungs. These patches go through the same monthly cycle as the uterine lining, developing and then shedding.

“Endometriosis can cause chronic pain and significant scar tissue in the pelvis, which can affect quality of life,” says Meghan Smith, MD, an OBGYN with Nashville Fertility Center in Tennessee. Here’s what to know about this condition.