Endometriosis can affect any young woman, regardless of whether or not they are sexually active. Unfortunately, researchers aren’t sure what causes endometriosis, although we do know it’s more common in young women with a family history of endometriosis. The use of hormonal medications, such as the birth control pill, are very helpful in preventing the progression of disease as well as managing symptoms. It’s also important to mention that the birth control pill can be used for a variety of conditions and not just for those who are sexually active. We do recommend that if you are thinking about using the birth control pill or other hormonal therapies, it’s a good idea to speak with your health care provider (HCP), so they can pick the right one for you!
Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.