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Association between chronic pelvic pain symptoms and the presence of endometriosis

  • Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The link between endometriosis and the presence or intensity of pain is controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and severity of endometriosis and the effectiveness of laparoscopic treatment in a 6-month follow-up.

Methods

Prospective observational study in a referral unit. 144 women had laparoscopy to investigate CPP. Symptoms were assessed by a 10-point visual analog scale. The main outcome measure was the frequency and intensity of CPP.

Results

No difference in pain was found between women with and without endometriosis. Advanced endometriosis was associated with dysmenorrhea, deep endometriosis with dyspareunia and rectovaginal disease with dyschezia. Laparoscopic treatment improves symptoms.

Conclusions

Women with severe endometriosis are more likely to report severe dysmenorrhoea. Furthermore location of endometriosis in the rectovaginal space is associated with dyschezia and deep endometriosis with dyspareunia. However, the association between presence and stage of endometriosis and severity of symptoms is marginal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen’s Hospital, Rom Valley Way, Romford, RM70AG, UK

    Nikolaos V. Apostolopoulos, Anwen Gorry & Adeyemi Coker

  2. Department of Endocrinology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

    Krystallenia I. Alexandraki

Authors
  1. Nikolaos V. Apostolopoulos
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  2. Krystallenia I. Alexandraki
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  3. Anwen Gorry
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  4. Adeyemi Coker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nikolaos V. Apostolopoulos.

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All authors declare that they do not they have a financial relationship with the organization that sponsored the research and they confirm to have full control of all primary data and that they agree to allow the Journal to review their data if requested.

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Apostolopoulos, N.V., Alexandraki, K.I., Gorry, A. et al. Association between chronic pelvic pain symptoms and the presence of endometriosis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 293, 439–445 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3855-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3855-2

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