Most women who suffer from endometriosis do not experience any symptoms. However, the most common symptoms are pelvic pain and infertility, especially when the women suffers from deeply infiltrating endometriosis. Pelvic pain will most commonly occur before and during menstruation, and will subside after menstruation. Some women will also experience pain or cramping during intercourse, bowel movements, and/or urination. The severity of pain can fluctuate from month to month, or remain the same. Other symptoms associated with endometriosis are lower abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation, low back pain, irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding, and blood in the urine. 

While the cause of endometriosis remains unknown, it is believed that it is due to retrograde menstruation where menstrual fluids flow backwards through the fallopian tubes into the peritoneal cavity. Because endometriosis cannot be definitively determined until a woman undergoes surgery, the symptoms are generally treated rather than the actual diagnosis.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammitory drugs like Ibuprofen or Naproxen may be prescribed to reduce pain and cramping during menstruation. This is typically the first step of treatment. If this treatment eliminates symptoms and the pain is controlled, then no further treatment or procedures are needed.

Other methods commonly practiced when treating endometriosis include the use of prescribed Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRH analogs), oral contraceptives, and progestins.

GnRH analogs help to relieve pain and reduce the size of the endometriosis implants by suppressing estrogen. There are unwanted side effects related to this treatment such as hot flushes, fatigue, mood changes, and osteoporosis.

Oral contraceptives can also be used to treat menstrual pain. While it may lessen this pain with ordinary use, women with severe menstrual pain may be directed to take continuous doses of the pill by skipping the placebo portion of the pack.

When a woman cannot take an oral contraceptive, or when it does not relieve pain, a progestin can be prescribed. However, progestins cause menstruation to stop and can last months after the treatment has ended. Therefore, it is not typically recommended for women who are planning to become pregnant.

Surgical treatment of endometriosis is useful when other forms of treatment are ineffective and the patient continues to suffer from symptoms. Surgery is also recommended when there is an anatomic distortion of the pelvic organs or when the bowels or urinary tract are obstructed. Most surgeries to treat endometriosis are laparoscopic where a laser is used to obliterate endometrial implants. While surgery has a very high rate of effectiveness, there is a 40% chance of reoccurrence.

While endometriosis is generally found in infertile woman, conception can still be achieved. When conception is not achieved, the infertility can be treated by means of hormone therapies, surgical procedures, or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).