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Endometriosis

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Female Reproductive Dysfunction

Part of the book series: Endocrinology ((ENDOCR))

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic benign disease characterized by the presence and proliferation of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. It affects approximately 6–10% of women. Typically this disease interests women in their reproductive period and affects quality of life. The pathogenesis of endometriosis has not been definitively established; the most accredited theories are retrograde menstruation, blood and lymphatic dissemination, and metaplasia of celomic epithelium and stem cell. Ectopic implants cause a local inflammatory response, accompanied by angiogenesis, adhesions, fibrosis, scarring, neuronal infiltration, and anatomical distortion. The main clinical manifestations are pain and infertility. Currently, endometriosis is classified in clinical practice in superficial or peritoneal, ovarian, and deep endometriosis. Ovary is the most affected organ. Diagnosis is based on clinical history and pelvic examination, supported by radiological investigations including transvaginal ultrasound examination that represents the first imaging approach. Endometriosis requires a lifelong management plan with the goal of maximizing the use of medical treatment and avoiding repeated surgical procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Sara Clemenza, Dante Campana, Silvia Vannuccini & Felice Petraglia

  2. Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    Silvia Vannuccini

  3. Department of Maternal and Child Health, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil

    Larissa Milani Coutinho

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Larissa Milani Coutinho

Authors
  1. Sara Clemenza
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  2. Dante Campana
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  3. Silvia Vannuccini
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  4. Larissa Milani Coutinho
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  5. Felice Petraglia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Felice Petraglia .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy

    Felice Petraglia

  2. Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrech, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Bart C. Fauser

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Clemenza, S., Campana, D., Vannuccini, S., Coutinho, L.M., Petraglia, F. (2020). Endometriosis. In: Petraglia, F., Fauser, B. (eds) Female Reproductive Dysfunction . Endocrinology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14782-2_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14782-2_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-14781-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-14782-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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