Endometriosis: Facts, Fallacies, Misdiagnoses and Current Treatments: Are Doctors Missing Something, are they Undereducated or Simply Ignoring a Widespread Disease?

Endometriosis is a debilitating disorder in which tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside of the uterus, usually out through the fallopian tubes into the peritoneal cavity [1-5]. The main symptoms are pelvic pain (ranging from mild to extremely severe and debilitating) and infertility. Nearly half of the women affected with endometriosis have chronic pelvic pain, and in 70% of these women the pain is exacerbated by menstruation. Dyspareunia [5] is also common and can lead to the patient stopping intercourse, which in turn can damage any relationship she may have. Infertility occurs in up to half of women affected [2,5]. Less common symptoms include urinary or bowel symptoms. About 25% of women are asymptomatic [1] and endometriosis is discovered as a secondary finding while the patient is examined during an infertility check-up. Endometriosis can have physical, social and psychological effects [5].