HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Stages of Endometriosis
Topic Overview
Staging is a way of describing how mild or severe a condition is. The stage of the Reference endometriosis Opens New Window is determined by looking at the Reference uterus Opens New Window, Reference fallopian tubes Opens New Window, and Reference ovaries Opens New Window and inside the abdomen and lower pelvic area. Usually, this is done with a viewing instrument inserted through a small incision in the belly (Reference laparoscopy Opens New Window). But endometriosis is sometimes first found during surgery for an unrelated condition.
Endometriosis is classified in four stages:
- Stage I: minimal
- Stage II: mild
- Stage III: moderate
- Stage IV: severe
The stage of the endometriosis is based on the:
- Location of endometriosis growths (implants).
- Number of places the implants are found.
- Depth the implants penetrate into normal tissue.
- Severity of the scar tissue (adhesions) around the implants.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference July 7, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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