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Review
. 2021 Oct 26:3:750018.
doi: 10.3389/frph.2021.750018. eCollection 2021.

Endometriosis and Uterine Fibroids (Leiomyomata): Comorbidity, Risks and Implications

Outi Uimari  1   2   3 , Hannah Nazri  3 , Thomas Tapmeier  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Endometriosis and Uterine Fibroids (Leiomyomata): Comorbidity, Risks and Implications

Outi Uimari et al. Front Reprod Health. .

Abstract

Uterine Fibroids (leiomyomata) and endometriosis affect millions of women world-wide. Although aetiology and natural history of the conditions are markedly different, symptoms can overlap and make differential diagnoses necessary, often using invasive methods such as laparoscopy. Considerable comorbidity exists between the two conditions and needs to be taken into account when treating fibroids and/or endometriosis. The genetic foundations of both uterine fibroids and endometriosis remain to be fully understood but recent evidence suggest common underpinnings. Here, we discuss the comorbidity of uterine fibroids and endometriosis and the implications for diagnosis, treatment and risks.

Keywords: comorbidity; endometriosis; leiomyoma; symptoms; uterine fibroids.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The symptoms of uterine conditions, endometriosis and uterine fibroids overlap. The non-specificity of abdominal and uterine symptoms makes it challenging to differentially diagnose endometriosis (left, red) and uterine fibroids (blue, right) without imaging or even surgical means.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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