Dysmenorrhea is a common symptom secondary to various gynecological disorders, but it is also represented in most women as a primary form of disease. Pain associated with dysmenorrhea is caused by hypersecretion of prostaglandins and an increased uterine contractility. The primary dysmenorrhea is quite frequent in young women and remains with a good prognosis, even though it is associated with low quality of life. The secondary forms of dysmenorrhea are associated with endometriosis and adenomyosis and may represent the key symptom. The diagnosis is suspected on the basis of the clinical history and the physical examination and can be confirmed by ultrasound, which is very useful to exclude some secondary causes of dysmenorrhea, such as endometriosis and adenomyosis. The treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs alone or combined with oral contraceptives or progestins.

Women with an incomplete removal of posterior DIE have a high complications rate during pregnancy and delivery.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) in defining size and location of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) with laparoscopic/histologic confirmation. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): One hundred four women with suspected DIE on the basis of TVS. Intervention(s): Patients with DIE underwent TVS evaluation before laparoscopic surgery. An accurate mapping of the extent of the disease was recorded during TVS and at laparoscopy. This new mapping system was developed to assess the extent of endometriosis by measuring the size and depth of the lesions at the various pelvic locations. Main Outcome Measure(s): Surgical and histologic confirmation of the ultrasonographic data to evaluate the presence and location of DIE and creation of a new mapping methodology for detecting DIE by TVS. Result(s): Depending on the different location of the lesions, the accuracy of TVS ranged from 76%-97%. The lowest sensitivity (59%) and accuracy (76%) were obtained for TVS in the diagnosis of vaginal endometriosis, whereas the greatest accuracy (97%) was shown in detecting bladder lesions and Douglas obliteration. Conclusion(s):This new ultrasound mapping system is accurate for detecting the extent of DIE and may be useful for preoperative planning and intraoperative management of symptomatic patients with DIE. (Fertil Steril Ò

PurposeTo investigate the efficacy and safety of dienogest as a long-term treatment in endometriosis, with follow-up after treatment discontinuation. The study included women with endometriosis, who had previously completed a 12-week, placebo-controlled study of dienogest, who participated in an open-label extension study for up to 53 weeks. Thereafter, a patient subgroup was evaluated in a 24-week follow-up after treatment discontinuation.MethodsA multicenter study performed in Germany, Italy and Ukraine. Women with endometriosis were enrolled at completion of the placebo-controlled study (n = 168). All women received dienogest (2 mg once daily, orally) and changes in pelvic pain (on a visual analog scale), bleeding pattern, adverse events and laboratory parameters were evaluated during and after treatment.ResultsThe completion rate among women who entered the open-label extension study was 90.5% (n = 152). A significant decrease in pelvic pain was shown during continued dienogest treatment (P < 0.001). The mean frequency and intensity of bleeding progressively decreased. Adverse events, rated generally mild or moderate, led to withdrawal in four patients (2.4%). No clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters were observed. During treatment-free follow-up (n = 34), the reduction in pelvic pain persisted, while bleeding frequency and intensity returned to normal patterns.ConclusionsLong-term dienogest showed a favorable efficacy and safety profile, with progressive decreases in pain and bleeding irregularities during continued treatment; the decrease of pelvic pain persisted for at least 24 weeks after treatment cessation.

Objectives