Postmenopausal endometriosis: a challenging condition beyond menopause

Alexandre Vallée, Marie Carbonnel, Pierre‐François Ceccaldi, Pierre-François Ceccaldi, Anis Feki, Anis Féki, Jean-Marc Ayoubi
Menopause (New York, N.Y.) · 2024 · vol. 31(5) , pp. 447–456 · doi:10.1097/gme.0000000000002338 · PMID:38531006 · W4393180413
article OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 3 in-corpus citations
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This review examines the clinical features, diagnostic challenges, and management of postmenopausal endometriosis, a condition persisting beyond menopause that significantly impacts women's quality of life.

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Abstract

IMPORTANCE AND OBJECTIVE: Postmenopausal endometriosis is a complex condition that challenges the conventional belief that endometriosis resolves with menopause. Despite the cessation of menstruation, a subset of women continues to experience or develop endometriosis-related symptoms during the postmenopausal period. Thus, this review aimed to shed light on postmenopausal endometriosis, exploring its clinical features, diagnostic considerations, management approaches, and the potential impact on women's health. METHODS: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were used for the research, with only articles in English language, using the following terms: "postmenopausal endometriosis," "menopause," "management," "treatment," and "quality of life," from inception to 2023. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The clinical features of postmenopausal endometriosis include persistent or recurrent pelvic pain, dyspareunia, bowel, or urinary symptoms and, occasionally, abnormal vaginal bleeding. The absence of menstrual cycles presents a diagnostic challenge, as the traditional diagnostic criteria for endometriosis rely on menstrual patterns. Visual cues may be less evident, and the symptoms often overlap with other gynecological conditions, necessitating a thorough evaluation to differentiate postmenopausal endometriosis from other potential causes. Management approaches for postmenopausal endometriosis encompass surgical intervention, hormonal therapies, pain management, and individualized care. Postmenopausal endometriosis significantly impacts the quality of life, sexual health, and long-term well-being of women. Understanding the clinical features, diagnostic challenges, and management approaches of postmenopausal endometriosis is crucial for healthcare professionals to provide effective care and to improve the quality of life of women affected by this condition.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004414mesh:D004715mesh:D017699endometriosisdyspareunia

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Postmenopause Postmenopause Postmenopause Postmenopause Postmenopause Postmenopause

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References (100)

Cited by (3)

Source provenance

europepmc
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License: CC0 · commercial use OK