Rationale for the aggressive treatment of early stage pelvic endometriosis.

Endometriosis is prevalent: its incidence has been estimated to range from 5-10% in normal women, and up to 60% of women who present with infertility or chronic pelvic pain. Chronic pelvic pain is the reason for 10% of all office visits to a gynecologist, and 40% of all laparoscopies performed are done for chronic pelvic pain. Further, it is reported that one in seven or 15% of the gynecological patients seen have pelvic endometriosis, and it is the second most frequent indication for which the American female undergoes a hysterectomy. It has also been noted that the infertility associated with pelvic endometriosis increases with the stage of the disease.