Prevalence and genesis of endometriosis

Abstract

A group of 1542 pre-menopausal Caucasian women were assessed prospectively to investigate the prevalence of endometriosis. The women were either having laparoscopy because of infertility (n = 654), undergoing laparoscopic sterilization (n = 598), having laparoscopy because of chronic abdominal and pelvic pain (n = 156) or undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (n = 134). Endometriosis was noted more frequently among women being investigated for infertility (21%) than among those undergoing sterilization (6%). Among those being investigated for chronic abdominal pain, the incidence of endometriosis was 15%, while among those undergoing abdominal hysterectomy, it was 25%. In all groups the total duration of combined pill usage was significantly higher in patients who had a normal pelvis compared to those with endometriosis. It is suggested that among susceptible women, both fertile and infertile, a prolonged period of regular spontaneous menstruation may play a causative role in the genesis of endometriosis.

PIP: A group of 1542 premenopausal Caucasian women were assessed prospectively to investigate the prevalence of endometriosis. The women either underwent laparoscopy because of infertility (n=654), because of laparoscopic sterilization (n=598), because of chronic abdominal and pelvic pain (n=156), or underwent abdominal hysterectomy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (n=134). Endometriosis was seen more frequently among women being investigated for infertility (21%) than among those undergoing sterilization (6%). For those experiencing chronic abdominal pain, the incidence of endometriosis was 15%, while among those undergoing abdominal hysterectomy it was 25%. In all groups, the total duration of combined pill usage was significantly higher in those who had normal pelvis compared with those with endometriosis. It is suggested that among susceptible women, both fertile and infertile, a prolonged period of regular spontaneous menstruation may play a causative role in the etiology of endometriosis.