Last Updated September 17, 2026
Conditions Center · Genitourinary · Social Security Disability
Also called endo, endometriomas.
Endometriosis can support SSDI or SSI when medically documented pelvic disease causes listing-level complications in another body system or an RFC that rules out sustained work because of pain, fatigue, restroom needs, or surgical recovery. A self-diagnosis, painful periods without imaging or surgery, or infertility treatment is not an approval.
What is Endometriosis?
NICHD and MedlinePlus describe endometriosis as tissue similar to endometrium growing outside the uterus, often on ovaries, peritoneum, or bowel. It can cause cyclic or chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and infertility. Laparoscopy can confirm implants; imaging may show endometriomas. Treatment includes NSAIDs, hormonal suppression, and surgery. Severity of pain does not always match implant stage.
Common symptoms of Endometriosis
- Chronic or cyclic pelvic pain
- Pain with bowel or bladder function in some people
- Fatigue during flares
- Pain that limits sitting or commuting
- After surgery, recovery time and possible recurrence
How can Endometriosis affect a person’s ability to work?
- Absences during menses or flares and for laparoscopy or excision
- Need for unscheduled restroom access if bowel or bladder is involved
- Reduced sitting, standing, or lifting during pain flares
- Off-task time from pain, heating-pad needs, or medication sedation
- Combined limits when IC or IBD is also documented
Does Social Security have a Listing for Endometriosis?
Social Security does not currently have a listing dedicated solely to Endometriosis. That does not mean a person cannot qualify. SSA may evaluate related manifestations under another listing or continue the sequential evaluation and assess residual functional capacity.
There is no current adult listing titled endometriosis. Gynecologic cancers are evaluated under Listing 13.23, not this page. Digestive complications, if independently documented (for example bowel obstruction from endometriosis), may be considered under 5.00. SSR 15-1p notes endometriosis may co-occur with interstitial cystitis. Pain disorders without a medically determinable impairment do not proceed. Infertility and menstrual irregularity are not listings.
SSA requires a medically determinable gynecologic impairment from an acceptable medical source. Because there is no endometriosis listing, the claim proceeds through other listings only when their criteria are independently met, then RFC. Stage of disease on an operative report is not a listing grade.
Can you qualify if you do not meet an SSA Listing?
Yes. Nearly all endometriosis disability claims that succeed do so through RFC, sometimes combined with IC or digestive disease.
What medical evidence may help document Endometriosis?
- Gynecology records and, when performed, operative and pathology reports
- Imaging of endometriomas
- A flare calendar in clinic notes, not only a function report
- GI or urology records if bowel or bladder implants are treated
- Mental-health notes if depression or anxiety is separately diagnosed
Testing, imaging, and laboratory studies
- Laparoscopy remains the confirmatory standard when it was done; SSA does not require surgery if other AMS evidence establishes the impairment
- CA-125 is not an SSA listing and is not specific
- No staging system in the Blue Book
Hormonal suppression, GnRH analogues, and excision or hysterectomy should be dated with response. Hysterectomy is not an automatic listing or an automatic denial if pain continues from residual disease.
How SSA may evaluate residual functional capacity
RFC often addresses unpredictable absences and sitting tolerance. Do not assume every laparoscopic diagnosis equals listing-level IBD or IC.
Common issues that can weaken a disability claim involving Endometriosis
Infertility records only; no pelvic examination or imaging; or calling endometriosis a cancer listing without a malignancy.
What may strengthen the medical documentation
Operative or specialist confirmation, a clinic-reviewed pain and restroom log, and records of missed work that match treatment notes.
Endometriosis and related medical conditions
- Chronic Back Pain — A symptom, not a listing. SSA needs a medically determinable cause and documented functional limits. This page links the common spine diagnoses.
- Crohn’s Disease — Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. Listing 5.06 uses documented intestinal disease plus specified obstruction, laboratory, nutritional, perianal, or repeated-complication criteria.
- Fibromyalgia — A medically determinable impairment under SSR 12-2p when diagnostic criteria are documented. There is no fibromyalgia listing.
- Interstitial Cystitis — Interstitial cystitis has no dedicated listing. SSR 15-1p explains how SSA establishes it as a medically determinable impairment and then considers medical equivalence or residual functional capacity. Urinary frequency complaints without clinical signs are not enough.
- Major Depressive Disorder — Persistent depressive symptoms may be evaluated under Listing 12.04. A diagnosis does not guarantee benefits; SSA also examines severity, duration, and work-related function.
- Ulcerative Colitis — Ulcerative colitis is evaluated under Listing 5.06 for inflammatory bowel disease, the same listing that covers Crohn’s disease. Objective bowel evidence is required. The existing Crohn’s page and IBD article remain; this page is the UC-specific guide.
How Brock & Stout may help
We establish the medically determinable impairment, gather surgical and flare evidence, and develop sitting-and-attendance RFC without inventing a gynecologic listing. Representation cannot guarantee approval.
Frequently asked questions
No current adult listing is titled endometriosis. SSA may use other listings if their independent criteria are met. Otherwise the claim is evaluated through residual functional capacity.
Hysterectomy is treatment, not a listing. SSA evaluates remaining medically determinable impairments and whether work can be sustained.
Related Brock & Stout resources
Related conditions
Related categories
Speak with a Social Security Disability attorney
If Endometriosis is affecting your ability to work, Brock & Stout can review the claim, look for missing medical evidence, and discuss next steps. We do not charge a fee for SSD representation unless we win.
This page is general educational information about Social Security Disability as of the date of this publication. It is not legal or medical advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee results. Eligibility depends on individual facts and current Social Security rules.
