The family link
Yes — endometriosis has a hereditary component. If your mother, sister or daughter has endometriosis, your own risk is higher than average, roughly several times higher than someone with no family history. It's not caused by a single gene, but by a combination of genetic and other factors.
This means a family history is genuinely useful information for you and your doctor, and worth mentioning at appointments.
Why it matters
Knowing there's a family history can help get you diagnosed faster. Because endometriosis is so often dismissed and delayed, having a reason to take symptoms seriously earlier — like a close relative with the condition — can prompt earlier assessment and treatment.
If you have severe period pain and a family history of endometriosis, that combination is a good reason to see a GP and specifically raise it.
What you can do
Having a family history doesn't mean you'll definitely develop endometriosis, and there's no test to predict it. But being aware means you can act early on symptoms rather than waiting years.
A GP can assess your symptoms, arrange initial investigations like an ultrasound, start pain management, and refer you to a specialist for a definitive diagnosis if needed. If it runs in your family and you have symptoms, don't wait — book a consult.
Related condition
Endometriosis →References & sources
This content is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please consult a GP for your personal situation.
Ready to speak with a GP?
Book a private telehealth consult with an AHPRA-registered Australian GP.