Endometriosis Disease Summary

Overview

Endometriosis is a disease wherein an estrogen-dependent growth of endometrial-like tissue is found outside the uterus inducing a chronic inflammatory response. The definition and extent of this disease is in the Introduction section.

Endometriosis affects 5-10% of reproductive-aged women. A more detailed discussion on the prevalence of endometriosis can be found in the Epidemiology section.

Theories regarding the pathogenesis of endometriosis are enumerated in the Pathophysiology section.

Factors that can lead to the development of endometriosis are enumerated in the Risk Factor section, while the different types of endometriosis are in the Classification section. 

History and Physical Examination

Clinical features of patients with endometriosis are discussed in the Clinical Presentation section.

In patients suspected of endometriosis, there are important points in the clinical history that should be elicited, and these are enumerated in the History section.

Physical examination is ideally done during early menses when endometrial implants are likely to be largest and deep infiltrating, hence more easily detectable. Tests to be done during the examination are discussed in this section. 

Diagnosis

The Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries and Imaging sections enumerate and discuss the various tests and procedures to be performed in confirming the diagnosis of endometriosis.

The Differential Diagnosis section enumerates the other diseases that should be ruled out in patients suspected to have endometriosis. 

Management

The Principles of Therapy section discusses the long- and short-term goals as well as the medical management of patients with endometriosis.

The Pharmacological Therapy section enumerates and discusses the first-line and second-line therapeutic options for managing endometriosis. It also discusses the supportive therapy and combined medical and surgical therapeutic options.

Indications for surgery and both conservative and definitive surgical options for patients with endometriosis are discussed in detail in the Surgery section.

The different effects of endometriosis are mentioned in the Complications section.