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Endometriosis

Last reviewed: 6 Oct 2024
Last updated: 09 Feb 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • dysmenorrhea
  • chronic or cyclic pelvic pain
  • dyspareunia
  • subfertility
  • uterosacral ligament nodularity
  • pelvic mass
  • fixed, retroverted uterus
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • unable to attend work or school due to dysmenorrhea
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • dysuria, flank pain, hematuria
  • dyschezia, hematochezia
Full details

Risk factors

  • reproductive age group
  • white ethnicity
  • positive family history
  • nulliparity
  • low body mass index (BMI)
  • mullerian anomalies
  • autoimmune disease
  • late first sexual encounter
  • smoking
  • previous cesarean section
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • transvaginal ultrasound
Full details

Tests to consider

  • rectal endoscopic ultrasound
  • 3D ultrasonography
  • hysterosalpingography
  • MRI pelvis
  • diagnostic laparoscopy
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ONGOING

immediate fertility not desired: pain without endometrioma or suspected severe/deep disease

immediate fertility not desired: pain with endometrioma or suspected severe/deep disease

immediate fertility desired

Contributors

Authors

M. Jonathon Solnik, MD, FACOG FACS
M. Jonathon Solnik

Professor of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Medical Imaging by Cross-Appointment

Temerty School of Medicine at the University of Toronto

Head of Gynaecology & Minimally Invasive Surgery

Sinai Health System & Women's College Hospital

Toronto

Canada

Disclosures

MJS is an author of a number of references cited in this topic. He acts as a consultant for AbbVie (manufacturer of depot leuprolide and elagolix), Medtronic, Felix Health and Olympus.

Ari Sanders, MD, FRSCS

Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Peter Lougheed Centre

University of Calgary

Calgary

Canada

Disclosures

AS acts as a speaker for Abbvie, Hologic, and Bayer. He is an author of one of the articles cited in this topic.

Acknowledgements

Dr M. Jonathon Solnik and Dr Ari Sanders would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Sharon M. Jakus, a previous contributor to this topic.

Disclosures

SMJ declares that she has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Joseph S. Sanfilippo, MD, MBA

Professor

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences

Vice Chairman

Reproductive Sciences

Director

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

PA

Disclosures

JSS declares that he has no competing interests.

Justin C. Konje, MBBS, FMCOG, MRCOG, FWACS, MD, MBA

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Leicester

UK

Disclosures

JCK declares that he has no competing interests.

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