During the menstruation uterine mucosa can migrate through the fallopian tubes into the abdominal area where it can implant itself. This can lead to massive problems. This is called endometriosis.

Due to this, many women experience strong pain before and after menstruation. These implantations react the same way as the uterine mucosa to hormone changes – this means they also bleed during the menstruation, but because the blood is not able to flow, cysts filled with blood are formed.

A large endometriosis cyst is easy to detect using ultrasound. Unlike “simple” cysts, the content is not black but evenly lighter coloured. This is because the content is thickened blood.

10-15% of women of fertile age suffer from endometriosis and 50% of them experience pain. For many women who are unintentionally childless the endometriosis is the cause for their infertility. Therefore the IVF-Fonds pays 70% of the treatment and medication costs to foreign women working and insured in Austria for at least three months after the endometriosis is proven (a diagnostic report is required).

This disease is genetic. It is chronic and can be very painful. It can also affect other organs, although it is not malignant. Unfortunately, up to 6 years can go by until a diagnosis is made.

Before IVF treatment, endometriosis should be properly treated. We advise you to visit a specialist and - if surgery is necessary - we can recommend the best available centres.