Deep Disease
Can thoracic endometriosis cause a collapsed lung?
The short answer
Yes, in rare cases, thoracic endometriosis can be associated with a spontaneous collapsed lung that tends to recur around menstruation, called catamenial pneumothorax. Symptoms may include one-sided chest pain, shortness of breath or shoulder discomfort.
Yes. In rare cases, endometriosis can involve the diaphragm or even the chest cavity and lungs, and can be associated with a spontaneous collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, that tends to recur around menstruation. This is often called catamenial pneumothorax. People may notice one-sided chest pain (commonly right-sided), shortness of breath, or shoulder/chest discomfort that predictably flares just before or during a period.
A key challenge is that imaging such as a chest X-ray or CT can confirm a collapsed lung but often doesn’t identify endometriosis as the cause. When the pattern is cyclical or recurrent, diagnosis may require a coordinated surgical evaluation, sometimes combining minimally invasive pelvic surgery with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), to look for and treat disease on the diaphragm and in the chest. If this sounds like your experience, our team can help you connect the timing of symptoms to your cycle, evaluate for involvement of the diaphragm or chest, and plan next steps for treatment and long-term prevention of recurrence.
Where to go from here
Understand it, compare it with what you're feeling, then talk it through with us.
Step 1 · Understand
Understand the condition
Step 2 · Compare
Symptoms it can relate to
Step 3 · Speak with Us
Worried About Lung Symptoms?
Thoracic endometriosis can cause rare but serious lung issues like collapsed lung. Our specialists can help diagnose and manage these complex symptoms to improve your breathing and comfort.
Questions people ask next
All deep disease questionsWhen are thoracic symptoms an emergency?
Sudden, severe chest pain, new or worsening shortness of breath, or faintness should be treated as an emergency, especially around your period. These symptoms can rarely reflect a lung complication linked to endometriosis and need immediate evaluation.
What is catamenial pneumothorax?
Catamenial pneumothorax is a collapsed lung that recurs around your menstrual period, most often just before or during bleeding. It is considered part of thoracic endometriosis syndrome and may cause sudden one-sided chest pain or shortness of breath.
Can a chest CT miss thoracic endometriosis?
Yes, a chest CT can miss thoracic endometriosis because many implants are small, superficial, or blend in with normal tissue. Normal imaging doesn’t rule it out when chest or shoulder pain, shortness of breath, or other symptoms predictably flare around menstruation.
Can thoracic endometriosis cause pleural effusion?
Yes, thoracic endometriosis can, in some cases, cause pleural effusion, or abnormal fluid in the thin space around the lungs. Symptoms and imaging findings that worsen just before or during periods raise suspicion, especially when they recur.
Further reading
Thoracic Endometriosis: Understanding Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Chest pain or shortness of breath during your period? Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome is a rare but serious condition often missed for years. Learn the signs.
When Endometriosis Affects Your Lungs, What Can Help?
Discover the rare thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES), its symptoms, and effective treatment options for lung-related endometriosis.
Diaphragmatic Endometriosis: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Learn what diaphragmatic endometriosis is, how it affects the diaphragm, key symptoms, causes, diagnosis options, treatments, and potential complications.
