Are You Born With Endometriosis or Does It Develop Over Time?

Understanding Endometriosis: What Even Is It?

Endometriosis is one of those sneaky conditions that’s both super common and wildly misunderstood. It happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it—on ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, intestines, and so on. Ouch, right? That rogue tissue acts like regular endometrial tissue, meaning it thickens and bleeds with your cycle, but has nowhere to go. Result? Inflammation, pain, scarring, and sometimes, fertility struggles.

But the big question people keep asking: are you born with it or does it show up later? Let’s dig into that.

Is Endometriosis Present From Birth?

The Theory of Embryonic Origins

Some researchers believe that endometriosis may actually begin in utero—yep, before you're even born. This theory is known as the “embryonic rest” theory. Basically, it suggests that cells meant to become the uterine lining somehow end up in the wrong places while the fetus is still developing.

Sounds a little sci-fi? Maybe. But several studies support this idea, especially in cases where young girls start showing symptoms right after their first period—or even before.

Early Symptoms That Might Point That Way

• Severe cramps in teens that don’t respond to normal painkillers

• Digestive issues that doctors can’t quite explain

• Heavy bleeding from the get-go

I remember my cousin Sophie—she got her period at 11 and by 12, she was missing school monthly. Doctors kept brushing it off as "just puberty." Later? Boom. Stage III endo diagnosis. She always swore, “I was born with this pain.”

Or Does It Develop Over Time?

The Role of Retrograde Menstruation

This is the “classic” theory most folks hear first. It says menstrual blood flows backward into the pelvic cavity instead of exiting the body—carrying endometrial cells with it. These cells then stick to organs and start growing where they shouldn’t.

But wait... this backward flow happens in up to 90% of people who menstruate, and not all of them get endo. So clearly, there’s more to it.

Environmental and Immune Factors

Other theories say the immune system plays a role. Maybe your body can’t clear out misplaced endometrial cells effectively. Or maybe certain environmental exposures (like toxins, plastics, hormones in food) tweak the way your genes behave over time, making you more susceptible.

So yeah, for some people, endo might creep in gradually.

Can It Be Both? Well... Possibly

This is where things get messy (and honestly kinda fascinating). Most experts now lean toward a multi-factorial explanation—meaning you could be born with a predisposition, and life/environment/stress/hormones all influence when and how it shows up.

Think of it like this: the stage is set genetically, but the “performance” happens based on triggers. Your first period might set things in motion. Or a stressful event. Or hormonal changes in your twenties. It’s not clear-cut, and honestly, that’s frustrating as hell for people looking for answers.

Why It Matters to Know the Origin

Diagnosis Delays Are a Big Problem

On average, it takes 7 to 10 years for someone to get a proper endometriosis diagnosis. That’s absurd. And part of that delay? Doctors often assume young patients can’t have endo, especially if they just got their first period.

Understanding that endo might start before birth—or very early—could change how and when we screen for it.

Earlier Intervention = Better Outcomes

Catching it early can mean less scarring, less damage, and potentially preserving fertility. It also gives folks a chance to manage pain better before it spirals out of control. Trust me, living with chronic pelvic pain changes your brain chemistry—it’s not just physical.

Final Thoughts: Nature, Nurture... or a Bit of Both?

So, are you born with endometriosis or does it develop over time? The short answer is: probably both. Some people may carry the seeds from birth. Others might develop it later due to a perfect storm of body chemistry, life events, and hormones.

But the important thing is this: listen to your body. If something feels off, don’t let anyone tell you it’s “normal.” It might be common, sure—but that doesn't make it okay.

And if you’re one of the warriors out there fighting through endo pain? You're not alone. And no, it’s not just in your head.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.