Endometriosis in adolescents is a hidden, progressive and severe disease that deserves attention, not just compassion

Abstract

Endometriosis in the adolescent has, in recent years, been discovered to be a challenging problem in gynaecology. Although the pain may start at a young age, even before the onset of menstruation, the diagnosis by laparoscopy is almost always postponed for several years, by which time destructive lesions have affected the tubo-ovarian structures and severely compromised fecundability. Several factors may play a role, but one important reason for this disease progression is likely to be the delay in diagnosis. Therefore, transvaginal ultrasounds and transvaginal access with a less invasive needle endoscopy are recommended for exploration of the pelvis, diagnosis of endometriosis and treatment at an early stage before severe lesions develop.

Keywords: adolescence; adult; endometriosis; laparoscopy; pathogenesis.