Prevalence of deep and ovarian endometriosis in women attending a general gynecology clinic: prospective cohort study

Abstract

What are the novel findings of this work?This is the first large prospective study to investigate using a non-invasive approach the prevalence of endometriosis in women with a wide range of complaints attending a gynecological outpatient clinic. What are the clinical implications of this work?We found that deep pelvic endometriosis was much more prevalent than thought previously. It is therefore important that effective non-invasive diagnostic tests are offered routinely to women during their initial outpatient visit to facilitate timely diagnosis and effective treatment of this often-debilitating disease.

Pain, gastrointestinal function and fertility outcomes of modified nerve‐vessel sparing segmental and full thickness discoid resection for deep colorectal endometriosis – A prospective cohort study

“…Deep colorectal endometriosis affects about 20% of women with endometriosis. It has recently been shown that deep and/or ovarian endometriosis is prevalent in up to 19% of women attending a general gynecology clinic 1 . Colorectal deep endometriosis (DE) is commonly associated with more pain and adverse gastrointestinal (GI) outcomes 2,3 .…”

“…It has recently been shown that deep and/or ovarian endometriosis is prevalent in up to 19% of women attending a general gynecology clinic. 1 Colorectal deep endometriosis (DE) is commonly associated with more pain and adverse gastrointestinal (GI) outcomes. 2 , 3 Although a large percentage of women with colorectal DE can be managed conservatively , 4 several studies have demonstrated a significant short‐ but also long‐term decrease in pain symptoms following surgical resection of colorectal DE.…”

Fertility preservation in patients with endometriosis: Realistic approach or Future fantasy?

“…6,7 A recent prospective study on the prevalence of endometriosis in patients attending a general gynaecologic clinic revealed that one in five of these patients will be diagnosed with deep infiltrating endometriosis. 8 Patients suffering from endometriosis are more likely to experience subfertility issues and the underline pathophysiology is still poorly understood. 9,10 Endometriosis causes symptoms of chronic pelvic pain (CPP), dyspareunia, dyschezia, dysmenorrhoea, as well as subfertility issues.…”

“…11 Endometriosis has been strongly correlated with the presence of adenomyosis, which could also require special considerations when addressing fertility in these cases. 8 Undoubtedly, endometriosis and its manifestations can affect female fertility through various pathways, thus an individualised approach to these patients of reproductive age cannot be overemphasised. 9 Several underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed such as, enhanced follicular recruitment and atresia, hostile microenvironment, inflammation and fibrosis, poor oocyte quality, that could potentially explain the multifactorial role of endometriosis in subfertility.…”

Endometriosis: from iron and macrophages to exosomes. Is the sky clearing?

“…However, a very comprehensive understanding is needed to detect and investigate the physiological, cytological and immunological events, as well as biochemical factors like oxidative stress and inflammation, encountered in the pelvic microenvironment of endometriosis patients. In this issue of Human Reproduction Open , Chaggar et al (2024) report high rates of deep endometriosis induced by hemoperitoneum. In our invited commentary, we review the role of blood, hemoglobin (Hb), and iron in endometriosis pathogenesis, looking to elucidate the possible link suggested in this article.…”