Endometriosis in the chest

If you're a woman who experiences sudden chest pain or finds it harder to breathe around your period - you might have a rare condition called Catamenial Pneumothorax. This happens when air leaks into the chest and causes the lung to collapse, often linked to menstruation. This condition mainly affects women between the ages of 20 and 40. It's caused by endometriosis tissue growing in the chest. These hormone-sensitive cells can cause small holes in the lung lining or diaphragm, leading to air escaping and a partial or full lung collapse. It's part of a broader condition called thoracic endometriosis syndrome. Typical symptoms include sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, and a pattern tied closely to your menstrual cycle. In about 90% of cases, the right lung is affected. Unfortunately, many patients aren't diagnosed straight away and may undergo repeated emergency care before the true cause is understood. First line treatment usually involves hormone therapy. This can include daily birth control pills or injections that stop ovulation altogether. By reducing the hormonal changes, these treatments often help prevent further lung collapses. Easing symptoms over time with relatively few side effects. For severe or stubborn cases - injections may be used to temporarily stop your periods completely. This mimics a short-term menopause and helps suppress the activity of endometrial tissue in the chest. We'll monitor you carefully for effects like hot flushes, mood changes, or reduced bone strength. If medicine alone doesn't stop the problem, keyhole surgery may be the next step. A minimally invasive procedure called VATS lets us examine the lungs and diaphragm, remove endometriosis tissue, and repair any damage. It offers very good long-term results, with smaller scars, shorter hospital stays, and a faster return to daily life. During VATS surgery, we usually perform pleurodesis. This procedure sticks the lung to the chest wall, helping prevent future collapses. If there are tiny holes or weak areas in the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the chest and abdomen, we patch or reinforce them to stop air from escaping during future menstrual cycles. This condition crosses between lung health and hormone balance, so we take a team approach to care. You'll often see a thoracic surgeon, gynaecologist, and sometimes a respiratory doctor. By working together, we can offer a complete plan that treats both the symptoms and the root cause effectively and safely. Most women, who receive proper treatment, notice major improvements. Their breathing stabilises and their quality of life improves. Whether you choose hormonal therapy, surgery, or a combination of both, our goal is to help you live more comfortably and confidently. If you've noticed chest pain or breathing problems around your period - it's important to talk to a specialist. Catamenial pneumothorax can be treated effectively, especially when it has been diagnosed early.