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Endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition affecting women in their menstruating years and it is responsible for up to one-quarter of all the abdominal surgery performed by gynaecologists. It is also one of the leading causes of infertility in women over the age of 2 5 and it is thought to affect approximately 30% to 40% of infertile women. It is impossible to determine how common endometriosis is because some women do not have any symptoms and many women with the condition are undiagnosed. Gynaecologists believe that endometriosis probably affects approximately 10% to 15% of women at some stage during their menstruating years.

How does endometriosis develop-The full story of how endometriosis develops is not yet known. However, there are four main theories. Each theory explains how some, but not all, cases develop and it is likely that there is not one single cause of endometriosis, but rather a number.

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