Endometriosis

Christina Hodder
Leanne Jesso

Introduction

Uterine lining implants itself to

other organs in the pelvic
region. Ex.. Ovaries, bladder,
fallopian tubes
Appears as cysts and
adhesions
Causes a great deal of
menstrual pain
Affects women of the
reproductive age
Remains a hidden disease
until other problems arise

Brief History

Thought to be a disease of the upper

class, white woman
The first report in 1860 by a Dr.
Rokitansky

Symptoms

Pelvic Pain (acute or chronic)

Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
Painful bowel movements
Premenstrual staining and abnormal bleeding
Difficult urination and/or blood present in the
urine
Infertility

Some Theoretical Causes

Genetic, runs in the family

Retrograde menstruation
Problems in the immune system
Estrogen (natural and synthetic)

Effects on the Body

Linked to infertility
Miscarriages
Loss of reproductive organs
(hysterectomy)
Psychologically damaging
Chronic pain

Methods of Diagnosis

Most cases diagnosed because of other complication(s)

Laparoscopy is best detector and treatment option

Some Classifications

Mild- Rare, scattered lesions, no scarring

Moderate- Minimal adhesions and
superficial implants
Severe- Reproductive organs are bound
down by growths, bladder and/or bowel
may also become affected

Stages

Treatment Options- Surgical

Laparoscopy- method of choice

Conservative surgery
Hysterectomy

Patient Satisfaction

Treatment Options- Non surgical

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists,

Danazol, Norethindrone, Gestrinone
All acyclic, some high androgen, others high
progesterone, all low estrogen
Negative side effects such as accelerated bone
loss, weight gain, nausea, breakthrough
bleeding
Pain killers (aspirin, morphine, and codeine)

Patient Satisfaction

Statistics

6-58% of infertile women have endometriosis

30-50% of women with endometriosis are infertile (twice the rate of
the general population)
Up to 22% of women have no symptoms
30-50% of women with this disease have had miscarriages
Between 1965-1984 ~2 million US women between ages 25-54
diagnosed received a hysterectomy
Painful disease: 66% of women experience chronic pain
1 out of 10 women from menarche to menopause can be expected
to have some degree of endometriosis EXCEPT women with a
sister, mother, or daughter already diagnosed, then incidences
double to 1 out of 5

Interesting Facts

Men can also develop endometriosis after

prolonged treatments involving synthetic estrogen
Reported cases in primates such as baboons,
African Green Monkeys, and Rhesus Monkeys
Pharmaceutical companies cashing in on
womens pain= 3 month Endometriosis Kit
$525.95 USD
Endometriosis has been removed from areas
other than the abdomen such as the thigh,
thumb, and knee

Photos

A small adhesion on
an ovary about to be
removed surgically

Photos

Endometriosis
growing on the ovary
and fallopian tube

Photos

Severe endometriosis
on the back of the
uterus causing
adhesions of the
bowel and pelvic
organs

Conclusion

No cure
Disease of coping
Combination therapy involving surgery,
hormones, and (if needed) assisted
reproduction

Works Cited

Buttram, Veasy C. Jr. et al. Endometriosis: Advanced Management

and Surgical Techniques. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1995.
OConnor, Daniel T. Endometriosis. London: Churchill Livingstone,
1987.
Shaw, Robert W. Endometriosis: Current Understanding and
Management. London: Blackwell Science Ltd., 1995.
Wilson, Emery A. Endometriosis. New York: Alan R. Liss, 1987.
http://www.endometriosis.org/
http://ladytobaby.com/show.php?cat=38&item=164
www.dictionary.com

Websites

http://ladytobaby.com/show.php?cat=38&item=164

http://www.endo.org.uk/painsurveytoplinepreliminaryresu
lts05.doc