Treatment utilization for endometriosis symptoms: a cross-sectional survey study of lifetime experience

Sinaii N, Ninet Sinaii, Sean D. Cleary, Cleary SD, Naji Younes, Younes N, Ballweg ML, Mary Lou Ballweg, Stratton P, Pamela Stratton
Fertility and sterility · 2007 · vol. 87(6) , pp. 1277–1286 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.051 · PMID:17296195 · W2049201766
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This cross-sectional survey examined lifetime treatment utilization for endometriosis symptoms, reporting on the types of treatments sought and their perceived effectiveness.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the lifetime utilization and perceived benefit of medical treatments and surgical procedures for endometriosis-related symptoms.DesignCross-sectional study of self-reported survey data.SettingAcademic research setting.Patient(s)Self-reported surgically diagnosed endometriosis by 1,160 women responding to the 1998 Endometriosis Association survey.Intervention(s)None.Main outcome measure(s)Use, perceived helpfulness, and outcomes of medical treatments and surgical procedures.Result(s)Ninety-five percent of respondents reported pelvic pain, had endured symptoms on average of 16 years, and were young (mean: 36 years), white, and educated. Many women (46%) had tried three or more medical treatments, and almost 20% took them for 10+ years. Many reported medical treatments as helpful for symptoms (range, 36.4%-61.9%), but some reported stopping because of ineffectiveness (range, 15.6%-26.1%) or side effects (range, 10.0%-43.5%). Danazol or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was most commonly stopped because of side effects (range, 40.7%-43.5%). Surgical procedures were performed at least three times on 42%. Nearly 20% had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy; these procedures were reported as most successful in improving symptoms (45.9% and 37.8%, respectively).Conclusion(s)Despite reporting various treatments as helpful, women used many different types and endured symptoms for an average of almost two decades, indicating the profound effect of endometriosis on women's health.

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Complementary Therapies Endometriosis Adolescent Adult Analgesics Analgesics Cross-Sectional Studies Demography Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Middle Aged National Institutes of Health (U.S.) Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Socioeconomic Factors Surveys and Questionnaires Treatment Outcome

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