The patient with endometriosis T Gurgan and A Demirol

Endometriosis is one of the most frequently encountered benign diseases in gynecology. This progressive and recurrent disease, mainly affecting women of reproductive age, is an important cause of pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia, and infertility. Complete resolution of endometriosis is not yet possible, but therapy has essentially three main objectives: to delay recurrence for as long as possible, to reduce pain and to increase the possibility of pregnancy. Endometriosis affects 2.5-3% of women of reproductive age,1 and is diagnosed in 20-68% of women with infertility.2,3 It is likely that endometriosis occurs in most women at some stage in their reproductive years. The etiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis are beyond the scope of this chapter. However, while agreement exists as to the major factors that may lead to endometriosis, such as menstrual regurgitation and high exposure to menstruation and estrogen, many aspects regarding etiology and pathogenesis remain unsolved.