Endometriosis Questions & Answers

Updated: May 10, 2021
  • Author: G Willy Davila, MD; Chief Editor: Michel E Rivlin, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

How is endometriosis defined?

When is radical surgery indicated in the treatment of endometriosis?

What are the signs and symptoms of endometriosis?

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

What are the most common sites of involvement in endometriosis?

When is histology indicated in the diagnosis of endometriosis?

What is the role of lab studies in the diagnosis of endometriosis?

What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of endometriosis?

Which drugs are used in the treatment of endometriosis?

How is surgical care for endometriosis classified?

What is included in conservative surgical treatment for endometriosis?

When is semiconservative surgery indicated in the treatment of endometriosis?

How is endometriosis defined?

What is the typical location of ectopic implants in endometriosis?

What causes endometriosis?

What is the pathophysiology of endometriosis?

What causes endometriosis?

What are the risk factors for endometriosis?

What is the role of retrograde menstruation in the etiology of endometriosis?

What is the role of immunologic dysfunction in the etiology of endometriosis?

What is the role of metaplasia in the etiology of endometriosis?

What is the role of remnant Mullerian cells in the etiology of endometriosis?

What is the role of genetics in the etiology of endometriosis?

What are the common routes of anatomic spread of endometriosis?

What are less common sites of anatomic spread of endometriosis?

What causes postmenopausal endometriosis?

What is the prevalence of endometriosis?

Which women are at highest risk for endometriosis?

What is the prognosis of endometriosis?

Which treatments are effective for pain in endometriosis?

How does use of oral contraception affect the risk of developing endometriosis?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of surgical therapy for endometriosis?

How likely is pregnancy in patients with endometriosis?

What is the morbidity associated with endometriosis?

What are complications of endometriosis?

What is included in patient education for endometriosis?

Presentation

Which clinical history is characteristic of endometriosis?

How does the degree of pain correlate with the severity of endometriosis?

What are symptoms of endometriosis?

How does the presentation of endometriosis vary based on the area of involvement?

How is cyclic pain characterized in endometriosis?

What causes acute exacerbations of endometriosis?

What is the prevalence of secondary dysmenorrhea in endometriosis?

What are the symptoms of dyspareunia in endometriosis?

What are uncommon cyclic symptoms in endometriosis?

What causes partial or complete bowel obstruction in endometriosis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of endometriosis?

How is endometriosis staged?

DDX

What conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of endometriosis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Endometriosis?

Workup

Which studies should be performed in the workup for endometriosis?

What is the role of a complete blood count (CBC) in the workup of endometriosis?

What is the role of urinalysis in the workup of endometriosis?

What is the role of a serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) test in the workup of endometriosis?

What is the sensitivity and specificity of autoantibodies against Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigen (Gal beta1-3GalNAc) in the diagnosis of endometriosis?

What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of endometriosis?

What is the role of MRI in the workup of endometriosis?

What is the role of CT scanning in the workup of endometriosis?

What is the role of laparoscopy in the workup of endometriosis?

What are the most common sites of involvement for endometriosis?

Which histologic features are characteristic of endometriosis?

Treatment

What are treatment option for endometriosis?

What are the rates of recurrent pain with medical and surgical therapy for endometriosis?

How is subfertility managed in endometriosis?

How does endometriosis affect the outcomes of women utilizing assisted reproductive technology?

How does endometriosis affect the spontaneous abortion rate?

What is the role of hormonal therapy in the treatment of endometriosis?

How are combination oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) administered for the treatment of endometriosis?

How are progestational agents administered in the treatment of endometriosis?

How are gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues administered for the treatment of endometriosis?

What is the role of estrogen or progestin add-back therapy in the treatment of endometriosis?

How do gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues compare to danazol for the treatment of endometriosis?

What is the role of danazol for the treatment of endometriosis?

When is barrier contraception required during the treatment of endometriosis?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of endometriosis?

What are the aims of conservative surgery for the treatment of endometriosis?

How does drainage compare to laparoscopic cystectomy in the treatment of endometriosis?

What is the efficacy of surgical ablation for the treatment of endometriosis?

What is the role of presacral neurectomy in the treatment of endometriosis?

What is the role of laparoscopic uterine nerve ablation (LUNA) in the treatment of endometriosis?

What is the efficacy of postoperative adjunctive hormone therapy for endometriosis?

When is semi-conservative surgery indicated in the treatment of endometriosis?

What is the role of radical surgery in the treatment of endometriosis?

How is endometriosis prevented?

What specialist consultations are recommended for the treatment of endometriosis?

What is included in long-term monitoring of patients with endometriosis?

What is included in long-term monitoring of pediatric patients with endometriosis?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of endometriosis?

Which medications in the drug class Oral Contraceptives are used in the treatment of Endometriosis?

Which medications in the drug class Progestational Agents are used in the treatment of Endometriosis?

Which medications in the drug class Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogs are used in the treatment of Endometriosis?

Which medications in the drug class Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonists are used in the treatment of Endometriosis?

Which medications in the drug class Antigonadotropic Agents are used in the treatment of Endometriosis?

Which medications in the drug class Aromatase Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Endometriosis?