Diagnosis and Management of Endometriosis

ndometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue out-side the endometrial cavity. These ectopic deposits of endometrium may be found in the ovaries, peritoneum, uterosacral ligaments, and pouch of Douglas (Figure 1). Rarely, extrapelvic deposits of endometrial tissue are found. Morbidity rates associated with endometri-osis are considerable. Between 1990 and 1998, endometriosis was the third most common gynecologic diagnosis listed in hospital dis-charge summaries of women 15 to 44 years of age.1 The prevalence of endometriosis in the general population is estimated to be 10 per-