Bowel endometriosis: when a therapist becomes an ally of an obstetrician-gynecologist

The review presents a comprehensive analysis of original studies, clinical case reports, sysrematic reviews and metaanalyses related to the diagnosis of bowel endometriosis. It highlights the importance of early diagnosis of bowel endometriosis at the initial stage of patient visit, starting with general practitioners and internists. The pivotal role of these specialists in the differential diagnosis of bowel endometriosis is emphasized, given its frequent clinical overlap with other gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, intestinal tumors, and others. Targeted assessment for complaints pathognomonic for endometriosis — including cyclical abdominal pain associated with menstruation, dyspareunia, dysuria, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility — should be an essential component of the patient evaluation. Effective collaboration between internists and gynecologists forms the basis for timely identification and optimization of treatment, thereby improving patient quality of life and preventing severe consequences of the disease. KEYWORDS: intestinal endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, differential diagnosis, internist, gastroenterologist, interdisciplinary collaboration, diagnostics, gynecologist. FOR CITATION: Shuganova P.V., Viktorova I.A., Trukhan D.I. Bowel endometriosis: when a therapist becomes an ally of an obstetrician- gynecologist. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2025;9(9):645–649 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2025-9-9-15