Endometriosis and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) predominantly affects a young population, also of reproductive age, with a rising prevalence. Although these two conditions are physiopathologically distinct, they may coexist in the same patient, thereby complicating diagnosis and management. This coexistence represents a significant diagnostic challenge, as their clinical manifestations frequently overlap—including pelvic or abdominal pain, bowel habit disturbances, and rectal bleeding—making it difficult to attribute symptoms to one condition or the other. Their coexistence also raises therapeutic challenges, particularly when symptoms persist despite well-managed IBD treatment, or when surgical intervention for digestive endometriosis is being considered. The role of the gastroenterologist is crucial in managing patients with both IBD and endometriosis, especially when digestive involvement is present or in the postoperative course following endometriosis-related digestive surgery.