Endometriosis is a risk factor for ovarian and breast cancer.
Signs & Symptoms
Referral Patterns
Pain that is cyclic related to the patient’s menstrual cycle can occur anywhere but the most common locations are the lower abdomen, back, rectum and bladder (article). Pain can also occur in the legs and is described as gnawing, dragging, or throbbing.
Tests that may be performed by a physician
Diagnostic testing includes lab tests (TSH, CBC, Pap smears and vaginal cultures), pelvic US, abdominal CT. The gold standard is laparoscopic visualization and histologic confirmation with biopsy.
References
Engemise, S., Gordon, C., & Konje, J. C. (2010). Endometriosis. BMJ, 340, c2168. doi: 10.1136/bmj.c2168bmj.c2168 [pii]Kennedy, S., Bergqvist, A., Chapron, C., D'Hooghe, T., Dunselman, G., Greb, R., . . . Saridogan, E. (2005). ESHRE guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Hum Reprod, 20(10), 2698-2704. doi: dei135 [pii] 10.1093/humrep/dei135Sheaves, C. (2013). Advances in endometriosis treatment. Nurse Pract, 38(5), 42-47. doi: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000425826.90435.a800006205-201305000-00011 [pii]
Sinaii, N., Plumb, K., Cotton, L., Lambert, A., Kennedy, S., Zondervan, K., & Stratton, P. (2008). Differences in characteristics among 1,000 women with endometriosis based on extent of disease. Fertil Steril, 89(3), 538-545. doi: S0015-0282(07)00791-1 [pii]10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.03.069
Image provided by: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSBLKMBwOTZ_3cSRM4DGHMO9RL_sRiEpqpoy_JxPnx6oQYGUc05
Signs & Symptoms
- Pain is the most common symptom associated with endometriosis
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Dysmenorrhea
- Deep dyspareunia
- Bowel or bladder symptoms, which are often cyclical (eg, dyschezia, bloating, constipation, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, hematuria)
- Subfertility
- Abnormal menstrual bleeding
- Chronic fatigue
- Low back pain
Referral Patterns
Pain that is cyclic related to the patient’s menstrual cycle can occur anywhere but the most common locations are the lower abdomen, back, rectum and bladder (article). Pain can also occur in the legs and is described as gnawing, dragging, or throbbing.
Tests that may be performed by a physician
Diagnostic testing includes lab tests (TSH, CBC, Pap smears and vaginal cultures), pelvic US, abdominal CT. The gold standard is laparoscopic visualization and histologic confirmation with biopsy.
References
Engemise, S., Gordon, C., & Konje, J. C. (2010). Endometriosis. BMJ, 340, c2168. doi: 10.1136/bmj.c2168bmj.c2168 [pii]Kennedy, S., Bergqvist, A., Chapron, C., D'Hooghe, T., Dunselman, G., Greb, R., . . . Saridogan, E. (2005). ESHRE guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Hum Reprod, 20(10), 2698-2704. doi: dei135 [pii] 10.1093/humrep/dei135Sheaves, C. (2013). Advances in endometriosis treatment. Nurse Pract, 38(5), 42-47. doi: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000425826.90435.a800006205-201305000-00011 [pii]
Sinaii, N., Plumb, K., Cotton, L., Lambert, A., Kennedy, S., Zondervan, K., & Stratton, P. (2008). Differences in characteristics among 1,000 women with endometriosis based on extent of disease. Fertil Steril, 89(3), 538-545. doi: S0015-0282(07)00791-1 [pii]10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.03.069
Image provided by: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSBLKMBwOTZ_3cSRM4DGHMO9RL_sRiEpqpoy_JxPnx6oQYGUc05