Prevalence and genesis of endometriosis

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 6; no. 4; p. 544
• Main Authors: Mahmood, T A, Templeton, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.04.1991
• Subjects: Abdominal Pain - etiology; Adult; Analysis of Variance; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined - adverse effects; Endometriosis - chemically induced; Endometriosis - complications; Endometriosis - epidemiology; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Humans; Infertility - etiology; Prospective Studies; Measurement; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Contraceptive Usage; Biology; Urogenital Surgery; Research Methodology; Urogenital System; Reproduction; Ethnic Groups; Pain; Uterus; Fertility; Fertility Measurements; Physical Examinations And Diagnoses; Population Characteristics; Surgery; Population; Physiology; Endoscopy; Demographic Factors; Endometrium; Genitalia; Northern Europe; Cultural Background; Europe; Endometrial Effects > etiology; United Kingdom; Contraception; Laparoscopy; Whites; Hysterectomy; Family Planning; Examinations And Diagnoses; Gynecologic Surgery; Genitalia, Female; Diseases; Studies; Developed Countries; Treatment; Pregnancy History; Infertility; Signs And Symptoms; Population Dynamics
• ISSN: 0268-1161
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137377

A group of 1542 pre-menopausal Caucasian women were assessed prospectively to investigate the prevalence of endometriosis. The women were either having laparoscopy because of infertility (n = 654), undergoing laparoscopic sterilization (n = 598), having laparoscopy because of chronic abdominal and pelvic pain (n = 156) or undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (n = 134). Endometriosis was noted more frequently among women being investigated for infertility (21%) than among those undergoing sterilization (6%). Among those being investigated for chronic abdominal pain, the incidence of endometriosis was 15%, while among those undergoing abdominal hysterectomy, it was 25%. In all groups the total duration of combined pill usage was significantly higher in patients who had a normal pelvis compared to those with endometriosis. It is suggested that among susceptible women, both fertile and infertile, a prolonged period of regular spontaneous menstruation may play a causative role in the genesis of endometriosis.