Traditionally gynaecologists have described the typical woman with endometriosis as being white, middle class, career-oriented, intelligent, a perfectionist, over-anxious, ambitious, obsessive, and underweight, in her 30s or 40s with a stressful career and who has deliberately delayed childbearing to pursue an education or career.

Such a description is a myth, derived from the impressions and judgements of a few of the leading gynaecologists of the 1930s and 40s. Nevertheless, the myth has been handed down as fact to other gynaecologists. Not one of the descriptions has been scientifically proven and many have been refuted. With improved diagnosis — since the introduction of the laparoscopy — endometriosis has been found in the entire spectrum of women.

However, some doctors still believe the traditional description or parts of it — and the preconceived idea still persists in many of the current medical textbooks and journals and popular literature.

Inaccurately, endometriosis is still frequently referred to as ‘the career woman’s disease’.

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