Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiaphragmatic vs. StandardSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplications and OutlookWhen to Seek Care

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Diaphragmatic vs. Standard

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Complications and Outlook

When to Seek Care

Diaphragmatic endometriosis is a rare form of endometriosis in which tissue that usually lines the inside of the uterus is found in the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscular organ that separates the lungs and heart from the stomach, intestines, and surroundings.

Endometriosis usually appears in the pelvic region. In rare cases, it can appear in other places, like the diaphragm.About 6% to 10% of people who experience menstruation experience endometriosis. Diaphragmatic endometriosis affects about 0.2% to 1.5% of people with endometriosis.

This article covers the symptoms and causes of diaphragmatic endometriosis, how diaphragmatic endometriosis is diagnosed, and when to seek care.

A composite with information about diaphragmatic endometriosis

How Diaphragmatic Endometriosis Differs From Standard Endometriosis

The endometrium is the tissue that lines the cavity of the uterus (the womb).Endometriosisis when tissue that mimics the endometrium grows outside of the uterus. This tissue is usually called patches or lesions.

Diaphragmatic endometriosis is when endometriosis reaches the diaphragm, thedome-shaped organthat separates the lungs and heart from the stomach and intestines. In addition to the typical symptoms of endometriosis, diaphragmatic endometriosis can affect the respiratory system.

Symptoms of Diaphragmatic Endometriosis

The most common symptoms of diaphragmatic endometriosis include:

Other symptoms include:

There are several theories to explain the causes of diaphragmatic endometriosis, including:

Diaphragmatic Endometriosis Diagnosis

Other ways to diagnose diaphragmatic endometriosis include:

Treatment for diaphragmatic endometriosis depends on symptoms. If there are no symptoms, healthcare providers usually take an expectant approach, meaning the condition is monitored instead of removed with surgery.

Diaphragmatic endometriosis with symptoms is usually treated via:

If left untreated, diaphragmatic endometriosis could result in:

It’s advised to get a diagnosis of diaphragmatic endometriosis as soon as possible so it can be monitored.

There is no cure for endometriosis. However, lesions can be removed, and symptoms managed with medication. When treated with surgery and continued hormonal treatment, diaphragmatic endometriosis symptoms can stop. According to one study, 61% of people who undergo surgery for diaphragmatic endometriosis feel relief from their symptoms.

Diaphragmatic Endometriosis and Fertility

Almost 50% of people with diaphragmatic endometriosis experience infertility vs. about 30% of people with standard endometriosis. This could be because diaphragmatic endometriosis is more likely in people with already severe pelvic endometriosis.

Can Diaphragmatic Endometriosis Be Fatal?

There is no data to suggest that diaphragmatic endometriosis is fatal. However, it’s advised to get treatment as soon as possible because of potential complications like:

There might also be a risk of nerve damage from surgery to remove diaphragmatic endometriosis.

Seek a diagnosis and care for endometriosis as soon as possible, considering the condition can spread to other organs and interfere with daily life and mental health.

A diaphragmatic endometriosis is advised if you experience shoulder pain while having endometriosis. Infertility during endometriosis is also a possible indicator of the disorder. Considering the risk of complications like lung collapse, it is highly advised to monitor diaphragmatic endometriosis while treating it with hormonal medications.

Summary

Diaphragmatic endometriosis is endometriosis that reaches the diaphragm, a muscle located beneath the lungs. Symptoms of diaphragmatic endometriosis include coughing or coughing up blood, shoulder pain, labored breathing, endometriosis in the left pelvis, and infertility while having endometriosis.

Treating diaphragmatic endometriosis usually requires monitoring symptoms while taking hormonal medications to reduce lesions. If the condition begins to show obvious symptoms, surgery is usually recommended. Diaphragmatic endometriosis can be serious considering the risk of lung collapse or, in rare cases, excessive bleeding from coughing. It’s advised to seek care as soon as diaphragmatic endometriosis symptoms occur.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pagano F, Schwander A, Vaineau C, et al.True prevalence of diaphragmatic endometriosis and its association with severe endometriosis: A call for awareness and investigation.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2023;30(4):329-334. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2023.01.006MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.Nirgianakis K, Lanz S, Imboden S, Worni M, Mueller MD.Coagulation-induced diaphragm fenestrations after laparoscopic excision of diaphragmatic endometriosis.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2018;25(5):771-772. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2017.10.028Endometriosis Australia.Endometriosis of the diaphragm and the chest.Kaveh M, Tahermanesh K, Mehdizadeh Kashi A, Tajbakhsh B, Mansouri GH, Sadegi K.Endometriosis of diaphragm: A case repor.Int J Fertil Steril. 2018;12(3):263-266. doi:10.22074/ijfs.2018.5379Medline.Laparoscopic surgery - series—Incision.Nezhat C, Lindheim SR, Backhus L, et al.Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: A review of diagnosis and management.JSLS. 2019;23(3):e2019.00029. doi:10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development.What are the treatments for endometriosis?Gaichies L, Blouet M, Comoz F, Foulon A, Heyndrickx M, Fauvet R.Non-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture with liver herniation due to endometriosis: A rare evolution of the disease requiring multidisciplinary management.Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. 2019;48(9):785-788.AJMC Staff.Endometriosis has quality-of-life Impacts, great economic burden, Dr Soyini Hawkins says. October 21, 2022.Piccus R, Mann C, Sutcliffe R.Diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis: Results of an international patient survey.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. Published online March 10, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.03.003

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pagano F, Schwander A, Vaineau C, et al.True prevalence of diaphragmatic endometriosis and its association with severe endometriosis: A call for awareness and investigation.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2023;30(4):329-334. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2023.01.006MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.Nirgianakis K, Lanz S, Imboden S, Worni M, Mueller MD.Coagulation-induced diaphragm fenestrations after laparoscopic excision of diaphragmatic endometriosis.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2018;25(5):771-772. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2017.10.028Endometriosis Australia.Endometriosis of the diaphragm and the chest.Kaveh M, Tahermanesh K, Mehdizadeh Kashi A, Tajbakhsh B, Mansouri GH, Sadegi K.Endometriosis of diaphragm: A case repor.Int J Fertil Steril. 2018;12(3):263-266. doi:10.22074/ijfs.2018.5379Medline.Laparoscopic surgery - series—Incision.Nezhat C, Lindheim SR, Backhus L, et al.Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: A review of diagnosis and management.JSLS. 2019;23(3):e2019.00029. doi:10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development.What are the treatments for endometriosis?Gaichies L, Blouet M, Comoz F, Foulon A, Heyndrickx M, Fauvet R.Non-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture with liver herniation due to endometriosis: A rare evolution of the disease requiring multidisciplinary management.Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. 2019;48(9):785-788.AJMC Staff.Endometriosis has quality-of-life Impacts, great economic burden, Dr Soyini Hawkins says. October 21, 2022.Piccus R, Mann C, Sutcliffe R.Diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis: Results of an international patient survey.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. Published online March 10, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.03.003

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Pagano F, Schwander A, Vaineau C, et al.True prevalence of diaphragmatic endometriosis and its association with severe endometriosis: A call for awareness and investigation.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2023;30(4):329-334. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2023.01.006MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.Nirgianakis K, Lanz S, Imboden S, Worni M, Mueller MD.Coagulation-induced diaphragm fenestrations after laparoscopic excision of diaphragmatic endometriosis.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2018;25(5):771-772. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2017.10.028Endometriosis Australia.Endometriosis of the diaphragm and the chest.Kaveh M, Tahermanesh K, Mehdizadeh Kashi A, Tajbakhsh B, Mansouri GH, Sadegi K.Endometriosis of diaphragm: A case repor.Int J Fertil Steril. 2018;12(3):263-266. doi:10.22074/ijfs.2018.5379Medline.Laparoscopic surgery - series—Incision.Nezhat C, Lindheim SR, Backhus L, et al.Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: A review of diagnosis and management.JSLS. 2019;23(3):e2019.00029. doi:10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development.What are the treatments for endometriosis?Gaichies L, Blouet M, Comoz F, Foulon A, Heyndrickx M, Fauvet R.Non-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture with liver herniation due to endometriosis: A rare evolution of the disease requiring multidisciplinary management.Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. 2019;48(9):785-788.AJMC Staff.Endometriosis has quality-of-life Impacts, great economic burden, Dr Soyini Hawkins says. October 21, 2022.Piccus R, Mann C, Sutcliffe R.Diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis: Results of an international patient survey.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. Published online March 10, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.03.003

Pagano F, Schwander A, Vaineau C, et al.True prevalence of diaphragmatic endometriosis and its association with severe endometriosis: A call for awareness and investigation.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2023;30(4):329-334. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2023.01.006

MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.

Nirgianakis K, Lanz S, Imboden S, Worni M, Mueller MD.Coagulation-induced diaphragm fenestrations after laparoscopic excision of diaphragmatic endometriosis.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2018;25(5):771-772. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2017.10.028

Endometriosis Australia.Endometriosis of the diaphragm and the chest.

Kaveh M, Tahermanesh K, Mehdizadeh Kashi A, Tajbakhsh B, Mansouri GH, Sadegi K.Endometriosis of diaphragm: A case repor.Int J Fertil Steril. 2018;12(3):263-266. doi:10.22074/ijfs.2018.5379

Medline.Laparoscopic surgery - series—Incision.

Nezhat C, Lindheim SR, Backhus L, et al.Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: A review of diagnosis and management.JSLS. 2019;23(3):e2019.00029. doi:10.4293/JSLS.2019.00029

National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development.What are the treatments for endometriosis?

Gaichies L, Blouet M, Comoz F, Foulon A, Heyndrickx M, Fauvet R.Non-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture with liver herniation due to endometriosis: A rare evolution of the disease requiring multidisciplinary management.Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. 2019;48(9):785-788.

AJMC Staff.Endometriosis has quality-of-life Impacts, great economic burden, Dr Soyini Hawkins says. October 21, 2022.

Piccus R, Mann C, Sutcliffe R.Diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis: Results of an international patient survey.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. Published online March 10, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.03.003

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