Association between chronic pelvic pain symptoms and the presence of endometriosis

Nikolaos V Apostolopoulos, Krystallenia Alexandraki, Krystallenia I Alexandraki, Anwen Gorry, Adeyemi Coker
Archives of gynecology and obstetrics · 2015 · vol. 293(2) , pp. 439–445 · doi:10.1007/s00404-015-3855-2 · PMID:26329801 · W1244375316
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06+body, 2026-06-12 ⓘ

This study investigated the relationship between chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis severity, finding laparoscopic treatment improved symptoms but the overall association between endometriosis stage and symptom severity was marginal.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 · read from full text ⓘ

This prospective observational study assessed 144 women with chronic pelvic pain who underwent laparoscopy to evaluate the presence and severity (stage and location) of endometriosis, using 10-point visual analog scale ratings and follow-up of 6 months after laparoscopic treatment. Pain outcomes showed no overall difference in pain intensity between women with and without endometriosis, although advanced endometriosis correlated with dysmenorrhea and specific deep or rectovaginal disease locations were associated with dyspareunia or dyschezia. The authors note that the overall association between endometriosis presence/stage and severity of symptoms was marginal. Laparoscopic treatment improved symptoms during follow-up. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it examines how chronic pelvic pain symptoms relate to the presence, stage, and anatomic location of endometriosis.

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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. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article 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 Received: Accepted: Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3855-2

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Condition tags

dysmenorrheadyspareuniaendometriosischronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Chronic Pain Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Adult Case-Control Studies Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Follow-Up Studies

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