Abstract
Chronic symptoms of abdominal pain and irregular bowel habits in women evoke a broad differential diagnosis including irritable bowel syndrome, infection, malabsorption, and inflammatory bowel disease. Endometriosis, a common disorder in young women that can involve the intestinal tract, deserves consideration as well. Intestinal endometriosis is typically asymptomatic; however, when symptoms occur, they can mimic those of irritable bowel syndrome. Identifying intestinal endometriosis can be challenging, but historical points and key clinical features aid in diagnosis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ranney B: Etiology, prevention, and inhibition of endometriosis. Clin Obstet Gynecol 1980, 23:875–882.
Williams TJ, Pratt JH: Endometriosis in 1,000 consecutive celiotomies: incidence and management. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1977, 129:245–250.
Rawson JM: Prevalence of endometriosis in asymptomatic women. J Reprod Med 1991, 36:513–515.
Prystowsky JB, Stryker SJ, Ujiki GT, Poticha SM: Gastrointestinal endometriosis: incidence and indications for resection. Arch Surg 1988, 123:855–858.
Macafee CH, Greer HL: Intestinal endometriosis. J Obstet Gynaecol 1960, 67:539–555.
Halme J, Hammond MG, Hulka JF, et al.: Retrograde menstruation in healthy women and in patients with endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol 1984, 64:151–154.
Clement PB: Pathology of endometriosis. Pathol Annu 1990, 25:245–295.
Lessey BA, Metzger DA, Haney AF, McCarty KS Jr: Immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen and progesterone receptors in endometriosis: comparison with normal endometrium during the menstrual cycle and the effect of medical therapy. Fertil Steril 1989, 51:409–415.
Levander G, Normann P: The pathogenesis of endometriosis: an experimental study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1955, 34:366–398.
Merrill JA: Endometrial induction of endometriosis across millipore filters. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1966, 94:780–790.
Dmowski WP, Steele RW, Baker GF: Deficient cellular immunity in endometriosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1981, 141:377–383.
Badway SA, Guenca V, Stitzel A, et al.: Autoimmune phenomena in infertile patients with endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol 1984, 63:271–275.
Weed JC, Arquembourg PC: Endometriosis: Can it produce an autoimmune response resulting in infertility? Clinical Obstet Gynecol 1980, 23:885–893.
Dmowski WP, Gebel HM, Braun DP: The role of cell-mediated immunity in pathogenesis of endometriosis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand Suppl 1994, 159:7–14.
Amano S, Yamada N: Endometrioid carcinoma arising from endometriosis of the sigmoid colon: a case report. Human Pathol 1981, 12:845–848.
Simpson JL, Elias S, Malinak LR, Buttram VCJr: Heritable aspects of endometriosis. I. Genetic studies. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1980, 137:327–331.
Huffman JW: Endometriosis in young teen-age girls. Pediatr Ann 1981, 10:44–49.
Schrodt GR, Alcorn MO, Ibanez J: Endometriosis of the male urinary system: a case report. J Urol 1980, 124:722–723.
Cramer DW, Wilson E, Stillman RJ, et al.: The relation of endometriosis to menstrual characteristics, smoking, and exercise. JAMA 1986, 255:1904–1908.
Zwas FR, Lyon DT: Endometriosis: an important condition in clinical gastroenterology. Digest Dis Sci 1991, 36:353–364.
Jubanyik KJ, Comite F: Extrapelvic endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 1997, 24:411–440.
Coronado C, Franklin RR, Lotze EC, et al.: Surgical treatment of symptomatic colorectal endometriosis. Fertil Steril 1990, 53:411–416.
Levitt MD, Hodby KJ, van Merwyk AJ, Glancy RJ: Cyclical rectal bleeding in colorectal endometriosis. Aust N Z J Surg 1989, 59:941–943.
Clement PB: Perforation of the sigmoid colon during pregnancy: a rare complication of endometriosis: case report. Br J Obstetr Gynaecol 1977, 84:548–550.
Floberg J, Backdahl M, Silfersward C, Thomassen PA: Postpartum perforation of the colon due to endometriosis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1984, 63:183–184.
Goodman P, Raval B, Zimmerman G: Perforation of the colon due to endometriosis. Gastrointest Radiol 1990, 15:346–348.
Gini PC, Chukudebelu WO, Onuigbo WI: Perforation of the appendix during pregnancy: a rare complication of endometriosis: case report. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1981, 88:456–458.
Lea R, Whorwell PJ: Irritable bowel syndrome or endometriosis, or both? Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2003, 15:1131–1133.
Whitehead WE, Cheskin LJ, Heller BR, et al.: Evidence for exacerbation of irritable bowel syndrome during menses. Gastroenterology 1990, 98:1485–1489.
Bailey HR, Ott MT, Hartendorp P: Aggressive surgical management for advanced colorectal endometriosis. Dis Colon Rectum 1994, 37:747–753.
Woodward PJ, Sohaey R, Mezzetti TP Jr: Endometriosis: radiologic-pathologic correlation. Radiographics 2001, 21:193–216.
Roseau G, Dumontier I, Palazzo L, et al.: Rectosigmoid endometriosis: endoscopic ultrasound features and clinical implications. Endoscopy 2000, 32:525–530. This retrospective study examined the appearance of rectosigmoid endometriosis on EUS and the impact of EUS findings on choice of resection method.
Bozdech JM: Endoscopic diagnosis of colonic endometriosis. Gastrointest Endosc 1992, 38:568–570.
Payne SP, Pace RF, Benjamin IS, Clark DM: Isolated endometriosis of the small bowel presenting as acute small bowel obstruction. Br J Clin Pract 1991, 45:57–58.
D’Hooghe TM: Immunomodulators and aromatase inhibitors: Are they the next generation of treatment for endometriosis? Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2003, 15:243–249. Overview of current treatment and promising new hormonal and nonhormonal treatment of endometriosis.
Kettel LM, Hummel WP: Modern medical management of endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 1997, 24:361–373.
Sutton C, Hill D: Laser laparoscopy in the treatment of endometriosis: a 5-year study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1990, 97:181–185.
Weed JC, Ray JE: Endometriosis of the bowel. Obstet Gynecol 1987, 69:727–730.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Skoog, S.M., Foxx-Orenstein, A.E., Levy, M.J. et al. Intestinal endometriosis: The great masquerader. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 6, 405–409 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-004-0058-6
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-004-0058-6