Endometriosis of the gastrointestinal system accounts for 5 to 12% of deep endometriosis cases1. 90% infiltrates the rectum and the sigmoid (large bowel)2. In most cases, the patients present with severe symptoms, such as the following: dyschezia (pain on opening the bowels), haematochezia (blood in the stools), bloating and change between constipation and diarrhoea. Those symptoms are, often, more intense…
The urinary tract is infiltrated in 14-20% of patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis1. They often coexist with other endometriosis lesions. The most common symptoms are frequent urination, pain and burning on urination, strong desire to pass urine, blood in the urine and inability to fully empty the bladder. Some patients may have no symptoms at all. Diagnosis can be achieved…
As we saw in another article, one of the surgical management options for bowel endometriosis is the laparoscopic segmental bowel resection (removal of the affected segment of the bowel). But how is the actual specimen removed? Classically, a small incision below the belly button is required to remove the specimen. Although this incision is smaller than that of a caesarean…
Endometriosis is a ‘’hormone-sensitive’’ disease. The disease is ‘’dependent’’ on oestrogens, as we observe raised levels of oestrogens as well as changes in the oestrogen receptors of women with endometriosis1. We also observe ‘’progesterone resistance’’ as a result of dysfunction of its receptors2. Apart from the dependence on oestrogens and the progesterone resistance, patients with endometriosis present higher levels of…
We have seen that endometriosis is associated with infertility. What is more, we know that the symptoms of the disease, typically, improve during pregnancy. Is the disease, however, associated with direct effects on the pregnancy itself? Unfortunately, in the literature, there is a paucity of high-quality data answering this topic clearly. Τhere have been rare case reports of serious complications…
Other than the 3 types of disease, we also have stages of endometriosis. As we now know, endometriosis is a heterogeneous disease and, therefore, staging of endometriosis is not always an easy task. This is why there are, up to this date, more than one staging systems of endometriosis. The 3 most commonly used are: Stage Findings I: Minimal (1-5)…
Endometriosis is typically associated with pelvic pain (in the region below the belly button). To further examine this, we need to remember the 3 types of the disease. In ovarian endometriomas, pain is encountered in 80% of cases1, whilst most women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) present with severe pain1. However, in superficial peritoneal lesions (SUP), things are less clear.…
There is no commonly accepted aetiology of the disease. Endometriosis is a complex, heterogeneous and multifactorial disease, in which are involved hormonal, genetic, environmental and immunologic factors. The most likely theories are: What is more, the disease could be associated with the following: In conclusion, it is not very clear what causes endometriosis. It is likely to be a combination…
EN 
GR